Bernie Anabo Jr.
Jairus Reyes turns collection, vigilance into a winning formula
THE numbers don’t lie—and neither does performance.
While some government offices are busy making excuses, the Bureau of Customs–Port of Clark is busy delivering results.
And behind that performance stands a district collector who is proving that leadership is not about sitting behind a desk, issuing orders, or taking credit.
It is about getting the job done.
District Collector Jairus S. Reyes has placed a premium on discipline, vigilance and teamwork—and the Port’s recognition of its personnel for their outstanding revenue collection performance in July and August 2026 is a strong indication that the message is reaching the ranks.
This is not simply about collecting taxes.
This is about protecting government revenue.
This is about making legitimate traders move faster while making life harder for those who attempt to cheat the government.
And this is where Reyes deserves the spotlight.
NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY
The Port of Clark is not merely celebrating numbers. It is recognizing the people who helped produce them.
Employees were honored for their contribution to the Port’s revenue collection performance, underscoring a simple truth:
A Customs port cannot perform at a high level through the effort of one man alone.
It takes an entire organization moving in the same direction.
But leadership sets the tone.
Under Reyes, personnel are being reminded that every assessment, examination and collection carries a responsibility to the Filipino taxpayer.
Every peso properly collected means additional resources for government programs.
Every shipment properly examined means another opportunity to stop contraband from entering the country.
AND THEN COME THE DRUG BUSTS
Perhaps even more significant was the recognition given to Customs Examiners for their vigilance and role in the apprehension of illegal drugs concealed in shipments.
That deserves more than a ceremonial handshake.
It deserves public recognition.
Because when illegal drugs are hidden inside legitimate-looking cargo, Customs personnel become one of the country’s first lines of defense.
A missed shipment can mean drugs reaching communities.
A properly examined shipment can mean lives protected.
That is the difference between merely processing cargo and actually protecting the border.
Reyes’ decision to recognize the examiners sends a powerful message: vigilance is valued, performance matters, and those who stand on the front line against smuggling and illegal drugs will not be ignored.
REYES’ MESSAGE IS CLEAR
Revenue collection.
Trade facilitation.
Border protection.
These three responsibilities cannot be separated.
A modern Customs port must be fast enough to facilitate legitimate commerce, firm enough to protect government revenue, and uncompromising enough to stop illegal shipments.
That is the battlefield where Reyes and his people are operating.
And if the July and August performance is any indication, Clark Customs is not simply raising the flag every Monday—it is raising the bar.
The recognition ceremony may have been held during the regular flag-raising program, but the message behind it is anything but routine.
Perform—and be recognized.
Stay vigilant—and be valued.
Protect the revenue—and protect the country.
For District Collector Jairus S. Reyes, that is the kind of leadership that deserves attention.
Because in Customs, results are ultimately measured not by speeches, but by collections made, legitimate trade facilitated, and illegal shipments stopped.
And at Clark, the battle lines are clearly drawn.
The message from Reyes is simple: WORK HARD. WATCH HARDER. COLLECT EVERY LEGITIMATE PESO. STOP CONTRABAND. PROTECT THE COUNTRY.
That is not business as usual.
That is a Customs port on the offensive.
INSIGHT
By: Dr. Bernie Anabo
HONDA HITS 10 MILLION — AND BATANGAS CUSTOMS SHINES!
A 10-million production milestone is no small feat. It is a thunderous statement of industrial strength, investor confidence, and a manufacturing operation that has stood the test of time.
And when Honda Philippines Inc. rolled out its 10-millionth production milestone, the Bureau of Customs–Port of Batangas was right there to witness the historic occasion.
But behind this milestone is another story worth highlighting—the continuing partnership between industry and government under the watch of District Collector Carmelita “Mimel” Talusan.
TALUSAN: CUSTOMS MEANS BUSINESS!
For Collector Talusan, Customs is not simply about collecting duties and taxes.
It is about keeping legitimate business moving, protecting the country’s borders, facilitating trade, and making sure government revenue is collected efficiently and properly.
That is why Honda’s milestone carries special significance for the Port of Batangas.
As one of the port’s top revenue contributors, Honda is not merely producing vehicles. It is helping generate government revenues, creating jobs, supporting suppliers and dealers, and keeping the Philippine automotive industry moving.
And this is precisely where a responsive Customs administration matters.
Industry cannot thrive when trade facilitation is slow. Government cannot maximize revenue when legitimate businesses are unnecessarily burdened.
The challenge is to strike the right balance—and that is where the leadership of Collector Talusan deserves attention.
10 MILLION UNITS. BILLIONS IN IMPACT.
Honda Philippines’ achievement represents decades of manufacturing, investment, employment, technology, and economic activity.
The September 9 ceremony brought together Honda executives led by President Takeshi Kobayashi, government agencies, dealers, suppliers, and industry partners.
The message was crystal clear:
Government and business do not have to be enemies. When both sides do their jobs properly, the Filipino people win.
The presence of the BOC–Port of Batangas underscored the importance of Customs in the country’s supply chain and industrial development.
Under Collector Mimel Talusan, the Port of Batangas is being positioned not merely as a collection office but as a critical gateway for legitimate commerce and investment.
NO SHORTCUTS. NO NONSENSE. JUST REVENUE AND TRADE!
The automotive industry needs predictable and efficient customs processes.
Government needs revenue.
Businesses need certainty.
Workers need jobs.
Consumers need safe and reliable products.
Everybody has something at stake.
That is why the Honda milestone should be viewed beyond the glamour of a ceremonial event.
It is a reminder that every properly processed shipment, every legitimate transaction, and every peso correctly collected contributes to the larger Philippine economy.
And in that equation, the Port of Batangas under Collector Talusan has a critical role to play.
THE TALUSAN FACTOR
Collector Carmelita “Mimel” Talusan deserves recognition for representing the Bureau of Customs at an event that symbolizes the strength of Philippine manufacturing and legitimate trade.
The challenge now is to keep that momentum going.
More trade. More investment. More jobs. More revenue. Less red tape. Less delay. Zero tolerance for illegal trade.
That is the kind of Customs operation the business community wants to see.
Honda has reached 10 million.
Now the challenge for the Port of Batangas is to keep raising the bar—not just in collections, but in trade facilitation, enforcement, integrity, and service to the Filipino people.
Because at the end of the day, the real measure of Customs leadership is not found in speeches or ceremonies.
It is found in results.
And if legitimate industries like Honda continue to grow and contribute to the country, then the Port of Batangas has every reason to stand tall.
Congratulations, Honda Philippines!
And to Collector Carmelita “Mimel” Talusan and the men and women of the BOC–Port of Batangas:
KEEP THE PORT MOVING. KEEP REVENUES FLOWING. KEEP LEGITIMATE TRADE ROARING!
TEN MILLION FOR HONDA.
AND ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR BATANGAS!
