The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday two containers carrying 130 bales of used clothes, 32 boxes of new shoes, and five bales of new t-shirts for distribution to areas hit by typhoon Ompong.
According to Port of Manila District Collector Atty. Erastus Sandino B. Austria, the two containers originated from China and consigned to Alcambaras Trading Corp. and WS Tan and Co. Inc.
The goods were transferred to DSWD for disposal in compliance with the directive of BOC Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña to release all abandoned and forfeited used clothing and other goods for distribution to the victims of recent calamity.
“As a safeguard, the goods donation were examined by DSWD and BOC. We want to ensure that these will not pose health hazards to the intended recipients,” Austria said.
The BOC said that items intended for donation or auction must undergo appropriate examination and certification with the National Food Authority (NFA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“The NFA and FDA should examine and certify that the goods are fit for human consumption before serving its purpose. This is the standard procedure that we do before doing such donation or auction,” Lapeña said.
The Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) provides that the goods subject to disposition may be donated to another government agency or declared for official use of the bureau after the approval of the secretary of finance, or sold at a public auction.
DSWD Acting Secretary Virginia N. Orogo, together with Undersecretary Hope Hervilla, accepted the goods donation intended for the families affected by Ompong which devastated hundreds of houses in various areas of the country.
“We have directed all the regional offices that upon arrival of the donations, it should go directly to the beneficiaries.. When we transport these goods, it will go directly to the victims of typhoon Ompong especially the northern part of the country and some parts here in Luzon,” Orogo said.
Last month, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III ordered the BOC to release all seized rice and food items at the ports for delivery to the DSWD for disaster relief.
The finance chief pointed out that in times of emergency situations like strong impacts coming from calamities, government to government transfers can be legally fast tracked.
Dominguez’s directive was in response to President Duterte’s order to all government agencies to ensure the highest level of readiness for the typhoon.