THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) surpassed its collection target in January 2019 as it collected a total of P48.153 billion, which was 5.5 percent higher than its P45.626-billion goal for the month.

The January collection was also 17.9 percent higher than the P40.830 billion collected in the same month of 2018.

Based on preliminary report of the Bureau of Treasury, revenues generated by the BOC in January were derived mostly from cash collection, which refers to duties, taxes and fees collected from goods that entered through the customs ports nationwide.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said far more aggressive reforms will be implemented over the next months.

These include automation to improve the bureau’s processes, enhancement of cargo clearance and examination capabilities and strengthening of institutional and individual capabilities in the area of intelligence and enforcement, which are part of his 10-point reform plan for 2019. (PR)