Manila, Oct. 20 -- Malacanang on Tuesday expressed hope that the proposed 2027 budget of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) would be retained, citing the agency's role in curbing smuggling and collecting government revenues.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the executive branch supports the BOC's position that it needs a higher budget to effectively carry out its mandate.

Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. backs the agency's proposed allocation under the NEP.

"Ang proposed budget ng ehekutibo para sa BOC ay kung ano ang nakalagay sa NEP dahil 'yun ang alam ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon na dapat na budget ng BOC (The proposed budget of the executive branch fo...