The message from Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno is loud, clear and impossible to misunderstand:

PERFORM. PROTECT. REFORM. AND DO NOT LET UP.

At the 13th Collectors’ Conference hosted by the Port of Clark, Nepomuceno commended the strong performance of the Bureau of Customs’ collection districts nationwide—but he also made one thing crystal clear: big revenue numbers alone are not enough.

Collections must go hand in hand with good governance, border protection, transparency, accountability and quality public service.

And the numbers show why the Commissioner is demanding sustained momentum.

From January to August 2026, the BOC collected ₱664.776 billion, exceeding its adjusted target by ₱5.467 billion—the highest collection recorded for the first eight months of any year. During the same period, the Bureau conducted 858 seizure operations involving an estimated ₱22.737 billion worth of illicit goods.

That is no small achievement.

But Nepomuceno is not allowing the ports to rest on yesterday’s victories.

CLARK: REYES PUTS MODERNIZATION ON THE FRONT LINE

Host of the conference, District Collector Jairus S. Reyes of the Port of Clark, had his own message written in numbers, innovation and enforcement.

Clark collected ₱2.765 billion during the first semester of 2026, beating its target by ₱104.71 million. At the same time, the port intensified enforcement, issuing 51 Warrants of Seizure and Detention covering goods valued at more than ₱614 million.

But Reyes is not stopping at collection figures.

He showcased the Port of Clark website, QueuRite digital queuing system and employee-welfare initiatives, demonstrating how modernization can move beyond slogans and into actual port operations.

That is the kind of modernization Nepomuceno wants to see: technology with purpose, collection with accountability, and enforcement with results.

NAIA: YAS MAPA’S NUMBERS SPEAK LOUDLY

At the Port of NAIA, District Collector Atty. Maria Yasmin “Yas” M. Obillos-Mapa continues to command attention.

From January to August 2026, BOC-NAIA collected ₱32.53 billion, exceeding its target by ₱2.38 billion or 7.88 percent, while posting 14.11 percent growth in collection—its highest since 2023.

Nepomuceno himself publicly praised Mapa’s leadership, citing not only collection performance but also good governance and teamwork at the airport port.

That is significant.

Because NAIA is not simply about collecting duties and taxes. It is also about passenger service, air cargo, border protection, trade facilitation and keeping one of the country’s busiest gateways moving.

And beside Mapa is Special Deputy Collector Dr. Siegfred L. Manaois, whose Paircargo operations have likewise been part of the port’s continuing performance story.

PORT OF MANILA: TORRALBA IN THE ENFORCEMENT HOT SEAT

At the Port of Manila, District Collector Rizalino Jose “RJ” C. Torralba has been putting enforcement and revenue generation into the same equation.

The port has continued to crack down on misdeclared and non-compliant shipments, including the interception of agricultural goods worth about ₱7.7 million.

Torralba has also overseen transparent disposal operations. In July 2026, POM generated ₱4.749 million from two public auctions, with Commissioner Nepomuceno commending the port for keeping the process transparent, orderly and efficient.

The message from POM is straightforward:

Collect what is due. Stop what is illegal. Dispose of forfeited goods transparently. Protect government revenue.

MICP: DE VERA AND THE BILLION-PESO MACHINE

At the Manila International Container Port, District Collector Atty. Felipe Geoffrey “Geoff” K. De Vera IV is among the Customs officials carrying one of the Bureau’s heaviest operational responsibilities.

MICP was already among the ports cited by Nepomuceno for surpassing its revenue target, recording ₱78.994 billion from January to April 2026 and ₱20.859 billion in April alone.

At MICP, every container can mean revenue—or risk.

That is why revenue collection must move together with intelligence, examination, enforcement and border protection.

BATANGAS: MIMEL TALUSAN KEEPS THE ENGINE ROARING

Then there is Carmelita “Mimel” Talusan of the Port of Batangas.

Batangas posted ₱79.615 billion from January to April 2026, surpassing its cumulative target during the period.

The port’s performance continued through the year. In July, Batangas reported ₱24.208 billion in collections against a ₱23.452-billion target, producing a ₱755.209-million surplus.

Talusan’s name has consequently become closely associated with the port’s aggressive push for revenue collection, trade facilitation and operational reforms.

But the bigger challenge remains:

Can the momentum be sustained?

Under Nepomuceno’s directive, that is the question facing every collector.

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