Port of Cebu highlights anti-smuggling efforts to Finance Secretary Go
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Cebu showed Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go a record RM2.8 billion in revenue collected in the first half of 2024, up 14% from RM2.5 billion in the same period last year.
Source: Philippines Department of Finance · August 17, 2026 at 6:31 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 18 AUGUST 2026 —
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Cebu showed Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go a record RM2.8 billion in revenue collected in the first half of 2024, up 14% from RM2.5 billion in the same period last year.
Market Impact
The figures were presented during a working lunch attended by BOC, Department of Finance (DOF) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials, according to a statement from the Port of Cebu on Tuesday. Secretary Go was accompanied by BOC deputy commissioner Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero, DOF undersecretary Rolando T. Ligon and BIR representatives.
After the briefing, Go inspected containers of seized illicit cigarettes at the Cebu International Port, part of a broader crackdown on smuggling that yielded 12,000 cases in the first half of 2024, up from 9,500 in the same period last year.
“I assure everybody that the Department of Finance is fully supporting the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue in their efforts. We will continue to strengthen enforcement and hold those who engage in illegal activities accountable,” Go said.
The delegation then attended the destruction of seized locally manufactured cigarettes in Mandaue City, an event organised jointly with the BIR. The activity underscored the government’s coordinated push against illicit tobacco trade, which cost the treasury an estimated RM3.2 billion in lost duties and taxes last year.
BOC – Port of Cebu commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the visit reinforced cooperation between customs, revenue and finance agencies to protect legitimate trade and border security.