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Aubrey Rose Inosante - The Philippine Star
June 14, 2026 | 12:00am
This file photo shows the Bureau of Customs building in Manila.
Philstar.com / Rosette Adel, file
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) missed its revenue target in May, as weaker import volumes dragged collections following the suspension of excise taxes on kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in response to a national energy emergency.
In a statement, Customs said it collected P80.66 billion in revenues last month, 2.1 percent lower than its P82.39 billion target.
This also ended the streak of above goal monthly performances this year.
Despite the shortfall, revenues still climbed by 6.6 percent in May from P75.66 billion in the same month in 2025.
President Marcos, through Executive Order 114, suspended the excise tax on kerosene and LPG in April for three months, upon the recommendation of the Development Budget Coordination Committee, rather than imposing a blanket ban.
The decision followed mounting public pressure as fuel costs soared amid the Middle East war.
However, the BOC said it still generated a P9-billion surplus in the first five months.
The agency collected P406.37 billion from January to May, beating its P397.05?billion target by 2.3 percent and leaving a P9.32?billion surplus despite “prevailing trade and market challenges.”
“The more than P9 billion surplus we recorded is proof that when we work together and do our jobs properly, we make a significant contribution to the country’s progress,” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.
This was also 6.5 percent higher than the P381.74 billion collected in the same period last year.
Customs credited improved valuation and enhanced revenue-collection measures for its performance, helping offset the impact of lower import volumes during the period.
In addition, it vowed to sustain momentum through faster trade facilitation, digital upgrades, stronger border controls and operational efficiency to support the government’s fiscal program.
