The Bureau of Customs (BoC) collected P81.361 billion in August, a 5.1% increase from a year earlier, though the figure came in slightly short of the agency's monthly target as weather disturbances and work suspensions disrupted operations.

In a statement issued Monday, the BoC said August collections were P3.925 billion higher than the year-earlier total.

"While collections for the month were slightly below the August target, the Bureau's strong year-to-date performance enabled it to maintain a cumulative surplus of P5.467 billion, keeping collections above the revenue goal for the period," the bureau said.

Collections in the first eight months of the year reached a record P664.776 billion, coming in 0.8% above the target for the period and 7% higher than the comparable year-earlier total.

The BoC, one of the government's two main revenue agencies alongside the Bureau of Internal Revenue, derives its collections from duties and taxes on imported goods, making its performance closely tied to import volumes and port operations.

The BoC attributed the monthly shortfall to poor weather in August that disrupted both trade and government operations.

"These challenges affected both the movement of goods and the operations of Customs personnel, particularly across ports and collection districts," it said.

"The impact was felt across nearly two weeks of disrupted work, while the unloading and processing of shipments in several ports were likewise stalled due to heavy rains, affecting the timely movement of cargo and related Customs activities," it added.

Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said: "The P5.467-billion surplus we have sustained is a result of hard work and dedication, as well as the continued trust and cooperation of our partner industries and stakeholders."

For the remainder of the year, Nepomuceno said the BoC will seek to sustain "strong revenue performance through improved compliance, accurate valuation and declaration, enhanced enforcement efforts, and close collaboration with the trading community."

"With four months remaining in 2026, the BoC will continue to build on its year-to-date surplus while advancing reforms that enhance revenue collection, facilitate legitimate trade, and deliver more efficient and responsive Customs services," he added.

The eight-month collections represent 65.8% of the BoC's P1.011-trillion target for 2026, meaning the bureau must average roughly P86.6 billion per month over the final four months to meet the full-year goal.

— Justine Irish D. Tabile