Bernie Anabo Jr.
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.
CEBU: DE GUZMAN TAKES THE BORDER-PROTECTION FIGHT HEAD-ON
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.
