MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs' so-called billionaire ports again failed to deliver on targets last month.
Preliminary data from the agency showed that the Manila International Container Port (MICP) was 20 percent short of its P7.87 billion collection target, having raised only P6.29 billion.
The Port of Batangas, a major receiving facility for oil imports, generated only P4.55 billion, or a shortfall of 26 percent of its P6.14 billion goal.
Both MICP and the Port of Batangas accounted for about 80 percent of the bureau's entire P3.9 billion collection shortfall last month.
The Port of Manila also fell short of its P6.24 billion target, having raised only P5.58 billion.
Likewise, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport generated P1.91 billion, or P350 million shy of its P2.26 billion target.
Of the country's five billionaire ports, only the Port of Limay met its target, raising P3.63 billion, or more than its goal of P3.12 billion in March.
The five billionaire ports accounted for 90 percent of Customs' collection target.
Of the bureau's 17 ports, only three met their goals. Apart from Limay, the performers were the ports of Davao and Cagayan de Oro.
Customs raised only P24.99 billion in March, or P3.96 billion short of its P28.96 billion target for the month. This led to a first-quarter deficit of P13 billion.
source: interaksyon.com
