Bureau of Customs budget cut from more than PHP28 billion to PHP5.9 billion in the House version for 2027

21 October 2026

Malacañang said it hopes the proposed 2027 budget of the Bureau of Customs under the National Expenditure Program will be retained. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the executive branch supports the agency's position that it needs a higher budget to curb smuggling and collect revenues. The Bureau's proposed budget of more than PHP28 billion for 2027 was reduced to PHP5.9 billion in the House of Representatives' version of the national budget. Castro said the House version remains subject to further deliberations, noting that the Senate will produce its own version before a bicameral conference committee reconciles the two. She said the agency needs additional machinery and equipment to strengthen its anti-smuggling campaign under Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.