Bernie Anabo Jr.
At the Port of Cebu, District Collector Atty. Zsae Carrie C. De Guzman is likewise carrying the dual mandate of collection and enforcement.
Cebu was among the ports recognized by Nepomuceno for achieving or surpassing revenue targets.
But revenue is only one side of the story.
In September, Cebu Customs seized 78,720 regulated medical devices valued at approximately ₱1.041 million after a shipment was found misdeclared as water-purifier tubes and bags. De Guzman subsequently issued the Warrant of Seizure and Detention.
That is the other face of modern Customs:
Revenue collection on one hand. Border protection on the other.
APARRI: BARTE’S SMALL PORT, BIG PERFORMANCE
The Port of Aparri also earned special recognition, with Nepomuceno specifically citing the port for its exemplary performance and consistent compliance with directives and deliverables arising from the monthly Collectors’ Conference.
Aparri also surpassed its January-to-April 2026 revenue target, collecting ₱592 million during the period.
Under District Collector Atty. Segundo Sigmundfreud Z. Barte Jr., Aparri demonstrates that size does not determine significance.
A smaller collection district can still deliver a big contribution.
CAGAYAN DE ORO: SAULONG TAKES THE OFFENSIVE
In Northern Mindanao, District Collector Arnaldo “Arnie” M. Saulong of the Port of Cagayan de Oro is pushing revenue collection together with stronger stakeholder engagement and border protection.
CDO was among the ports recognized by Nepomuceno for achieving or surpassing its revenue target, and it recorded ₱15.750 billion in collections from January to April 2026.
Saulong has also pushed anti-smuggling awareness and coordination in Northern Mindanao, including the expansion of the Bantay Baybay campaign against cigarette smuggling.
The message from CDO is clear:
Revenue must rise. But the borders must also hold.
ZAMBOANGA: ZURBITO’S BORDER BATTLE
At the Port of Zamboanga, District Collector Atty. Manuel O. Zurbito Jr. is another name on Nepomuceno’s list of recognized port leaders.
Zamboanga was among the collection districts recognized during the conference for achieving or surpassing its revenue target.
But Zurbito’s mandate goes far beyond collection.
Earlier this year, the Port of Cagayan de Oro—under Zurbito’s leadership at the time—destroyed illicit cigarettes and vape products with an estimated market value of ₱188.038 million, following intelligence-driven seizures across several areas in Mindanao.
The broader lesson is unmistakable:
Customs leadership today means collecting money for government while keeping illegal commodities out of Filipino communities.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: 17 PORTS, ONE MISSION
The latest conference recognized ports including San Fernando, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark, Aparri and Limay for achieving or surpassing their revenue targets.
Special recognition also went to POM, MICP and NAIA for generating additional government revenues through the successful sale of seized and forfeited luxury vehicles.
Meanwhile, Surigao, Subic and Clark were recognized for intensified enforcement efforts resulting in significant apprehensions and seizure operations involving illicit cigarettes and illegal drugs.
This is where the Nepomuceno formula becomes clear:
COLLECT. FACILITATE. PROTECT. MODERNIZE.
No single port can carry the Bureau alone.
Every collector matters.
Every customs examiner matters.
Every enforcement officer matters.
Every peso collected matters.
Every shipment stopped because it violates the law matters.
And every legitimate shipment moved faster because of efficient Customs procedures matters.
NEPOMUCENO’S CHALLENGE: NO RESTING ON VICTORIES
The BOC has already crossed a major revenue milestone.
But Commissioner Nepomuceno is demanding more—not merely bigger collections, but better Customs.
The challenge now is to convert strong numbers into sustained institutional performance.
To make modernization visible.
To make accountability real.
To make border protection relentless.
And to make every port understand that hitting a target today does not guarantee success tomorrow.
The scoreboard may show ₱664.776 billion.
The seizure reports may show ₱22.737 billion.
But the real test is whether the Bureau can keep delivering—with integrity, discipline, transparency and courage.
That is the battle now.
And across Clark, NAIA, Manila, MICP, Batangas, Cebu, Aparri, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and the other collection districts, the marching order is unmistakable:
KEEP THE REVENUES FLOWING.
KEEP THE BORDERS SECURE.
KEEP THE REFORMS MOVING.
NO COMPLACENCY. NO BACKSLIDING. NO LET-UP.
The Nepomuceno challenge is simple:
Perform today—and perform even harder tomorrow.
