The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reported that seized food items in the bureau’s custody has been delivered to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution to families affected by typhoon Ompong.
In line with the directive of Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III last week, Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña has ordered the immediate release of seized smuggled rice and food items for donation to those affected by typhoon Ompong.
“There are three modes of disposal [for seized smuggled items], one is by auction, another is by donation, and then by destruction. And because there is a need for donation specifically for the victims of typhoon Ompong, the Finance Secretary has directed me to donate all available forfeited food items especially rice,” Lapeña told finance reporters at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday.
According to the BOC press release, Lapeña signed last Friday the deed of donation for the 14 twenty-footer containers that contain a total of 7,000 sacks of rice, with the shipments confiscated by the bureau at the Port of Cebu.
“We have 9,000 bags of rice that have been donated, we have communicated with the DSWD since Saturday. Stocks available beforehand was auctioned off already. The 9,000 sacks is for Cebu only but can also be distributed nationwide,” he added.
Dominguez ordered the BOC to immediately release seized smuggled rice and other food items for donation to the DSWD, with the donation intended to augment ongoing government preparations related to typhoon “Ompong” in Northern Luzon and other areas.
BOC Deputy Commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) Edward James Dy Buco pointed out that a second batch of donations of goods is expected this week.
Under Section 1141 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), rice and other seized goods that are up for disposal may be donated to another government agency after approval of the Secretary of Finance.