The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu wasted no time sending a clear message as 2026 kicked off: this port means business.

At the 2026 New Year’s Call held at the OCOM Grounds and the high-level Collectors’ Conference at Sequoia Hotel on January 22, the Port of Cebu didn’t just show up — it stood out.

Leading the charge was District Collector Alexandra Yap-Lumontad, whose presence underscored Cebu’s growing reputation as one of the Bureau’s most disciplined and performance-driven ports. Under her watch, Cebu has emerged not only as a revenue workhorse but also as a port that executes orders with precision and speed.

The New Year’s Call served as a unity rally for Customs officials nationwide, but the subtext was unmistakable: Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno is setting the tempo for 2026 — and he expects results. His leadership has put collectors on notice that accountability, aggressive revenue collection, and airtight border protection are no longer optional.

And Cebu delivered.

During the Collectors’ Conference, Collector Yap-Lumontad and the Port of Cebu were awarded a Certificate of Commendation for surpassing their December 2025 collection target — a critical period when revenue pressure is at its peak and scrutiny is intense. The commendation wasn’t ceremonial; it was earned through hard numbers, disciplined strategy, and relentless execution.

“This didn’t happen by chance,” Yap-Lumontad made clear. “Surpassing our target is the product of focus, coordination, and integrity on the ground.” Her words echoed what many in the Bureau already know: Cebu performs because its leadership doesn’t blink under pressure.

Behind the scenes, the Port’s deputies, subport collectors, enforcement units, and intelligence officers worked in lockstep — a reflection of the operational culture being pushed from the top. In Nepomuceno’s Customs, silos don’t work, excuses don’t fly, and performance speaks louder than titles.

As 2026 unfolds, one thing is clear: Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno is tightening the reins, and Collector Alexandra Yap-Lumontad is answering with results. With Cebu setting the pace early in the year, the signal to smugglers, revenue leakages, and inefficiency is blunt and unmistakable:

Customs is watching. Customs is collecting. And Cebu is leading the charge.

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