Palace pushes for restoration of Customs Bureau's P29.9B budget allocation

The Palace expressed concern Tuesday over a significant cut to the Bureau of Customs' budget allocation in the 2027 National Expenditure Program, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro. Lawmakers reduced the customs bureau's proposed P29.9-billion budget to just P5.9 billion during congressional budget hearings, a reduction that Malacañang hopes will be reversed before final passage.

Castro told reporters that the original budget level would be essential for the BOC to enhance its institutional capacity and operational capabilities. She did not elaborate on specific programs or initiatives that would be affected by the reduced allocation.

The Bureau of Customs, a revenue-generating agency responsible for border security and tariff collection, typically requires substantial funding to maintain its field operations across the country's ports and international gateways. The proposed cut represents an 80-percent reduction from the administration's initial budget request.

The budget proposal is still subject to further deliberation in Congress before the 2027 National Budget is finalized and enacted into law.