DOF’s Go bullish that BOC to hit ‘elusive’ ₱1T target this year

Finance Secretary Frederick Go on Thursday expressed optimism that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) will be able to collect P1 trillion in revenues this year.

In his speech during the BOC’s 124th anniversary celebration in Pasay City, Go said hitting the P1 trillion collection mark for the BOC has been an elusive target.

“I am very confident that this year will be the year that we will hit the P1 trillion target,” the Finance Secretary said.

In 2025, the BOC collected P934 billion, up P17.726 billion from P916.674 billion in 2024. 

For 2026, the government set a target of P1.033 trillion in revenues for the BOC.

In an ambush interview with reporters, Go said the bureaucratic reforms put in place by the government is a factor in hitting the P1 trillion revenue goal.

“I have confidence in the new leadership of the Bureau of Customs. When I say leadership, everybody, not just one person. We’re talking about the entire Bureau of Customs. I think it’s very clear to them the reforms that we seek… And I’m confident that this year, 2026, is as good as any for us to be able to hit the P1 trillion target,” he said.

“That’s our target. So, we have to hit the target if we want to maintain our fiscal deficit ratio,” Go added.

At the sidelines of the event, BOC commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the BOC welcomes the Finance Secretary’s challenge.

“The P1 trillion is achievable, of course… As long as the economic assumptions are reasonable, doable. It is challenging, but I think that’s reasonable,” Nepomuceno said.

“We’re taking the challenge and that’s a good mission. That’s the least we can do to help the economy,” the BOC chief added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News