PORT OF MANILA — Forfeited cargo turned into cold, hard government revenue!

The Bureau of Customs–Port of Manila (BOC-POM) has raked in a combined ₱12.318 million from two public auctions of regulated refrigerant gases conducted in September—another revenue-generating punch under the watch of District Collector Rizalino Jose “RJ” C. Torralba.

The auctions, handled by the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division (ACDD), were held on September 10 and September 30, 2026, demonstrating that forfeited goods sitting in Customs custody can be transformed into substantial government collections when disposal is conducted swiftly, properly and transparently.

₱12.3 MILLION CASH GENERATOR

Five sale lots were offered during the September 10 auction, while another 12 sale lots were presented during the September 30 bidding.

One sale lot was successfully awarded in each auction, with the two transactions generating a combined ₱12.318 million.

The winning lots involved regulated refrigerant gases, making the auctions not merely a revenue exercise but also a test of Customs’ ability to dispose of sensitive cargo while keeping environmental safeguards firmly in place.

TORRALBA: NO SHORTCUTS, NO FREE PASS

Under Collector RJ Torralba, the Port of Manila made it clear that revenue generation does not mean turning a blind eye to regulatory requirements.

The ACDD strictly required qualified bidders of the refrigerant gases to secure the necessary permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).

In other words: No permit, no deal.

Only bidders who satisfied the prescribed environmental requirements were allowed to participate, ensuring that the disposition of the regulated goods remained within the bounds of environmental and government regulations.

FORFEITED CARGO? TURN IT INTO REVENUE!

The successful auctions underscore the importance of an efficient cargo-disposal system inside Customs.

Instead of allowing forfeited goods to remain idle in storage, the BOC-POM converted eligible cargo into ₱12.318 million in additional government collections through public bidding.

That is money that goes back into government coffers—not left gathering dust in warehouses.

For Torralba, the message is unmistakable: forfeited cargo must be disposed of properly, transparently and in accordance with the law.

The ACDD carried out the proceedings in accordance with established government auction procedures, with transparency and accountability at the center of the operation.

TORRALBA’S REVENUE DRIVE GETS ANOTHER BOOST

The latest auction windfall adds another layer to the Port of Manila’s continuing drive to maximize revenue while maintaining strict compliance with government regulations.

The performance also reflects the broader direction of BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, whose administration has emphasized stronger revenue generation, good governance, accountability and lawful Customs operations.

With ₱12.318 million generated from just two successful auction awards, the Port of Manila has delivered a clear message:

FORFEITED GOODS ARE NOT DEAD STOCK.

THEY CAN BECOME GOVERNMENT REVENUE.

And under Collector RJ Torralba, the Port of Manila is showing that aggressive revenue generation can go hand-in-hand with transparency, environmental compliance and responsible disposal.

₱12.3 MILLION IN THE BAG—AND TORRALBA’S PORT OF MANILA ISN’T SLOWING DOWN.

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