THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) posted a P53.81-billion shortfall in its 2009 collection, taking in only P219.47 billion via-a-vis its target of P273.3 billion.
BOC said its major collection districts failed to perform as expected and only smaller ports registered positive growth.
The Port of Manila showed the biggest revenue shortfall for 2009, collecting only P38.7 billion compared to its P58.5-billion target.
The Office of the Commissioner came in second with a shortfall of P13.34 billion.
Completing the top five districts with the largest deficits are Limay, P8.35 billion short; Manila International Container Port, P6.88 billion; and Batangas, P2.62 billion.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also one of BOC’s main collection points, posted a P151-million shortfall while San Fernando, Cagayan de Oro and Subic Bay registered shortfalls of P683 million, P873 million and P69 million, respectively.
Ports which exceeded their targets were Cebu, with a total surplus of P804 million; Davao, P748 million; and Aparri, P144 million. Others include Legazpi, Iloilo, Tacloban, Surigao, Zamboanga, and Clark.
The BOC is seeking a lower 2010 collection target due to the prolonged effects of the global economic crisis and the implementation of several free trade agreements that will bring down tariff rates to zero and cut collection.
These agreements include an agreement with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) under the Asean Free Trade in Goods Arrangements as well as separate trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.
