Solon urges BOC to donate seized smuggled rice to DSWD

This would be a great help for thousands of our countrymen affected by continuous heavy rains brought by Typhoon Karding. (File Photo:
Dax Cua/Facebook)

MANILA — The chairman of the House of Representatives ways and means committee on Friday called on the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to donate the 50,000 bags of smuggled rice from Thailand to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to aid flood victims.

“Nananawagan po tayo kay BOC Commissioner (Isidro) Sid Lapeña na i-donate ang nakumpiskang smuggled rice sa Department of Social Welfare and Development para maipamahagi sa mga nasalanta ng baha (I am calling on BOC Commissioner Sid Lapeña to donate the seized smuggled rice to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to be distributed to flood victims),” Quirino Rep. Dakila Cua said.

“Malaki po ang maitutulong nito sa libo-libo nating mga kababayang apektado ng matinding pag-ulan dulot ng bagyong Karding (This would be a great help for thousands of our countrymen affected by continuous heavy rains brought by Typhoon Karding),” he added.

Last week, the BOC seized 2,500 tons of white rice, estimated to be worth PHP125 million, at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The shipment was consigned to Sta. Rosa Farm Products Corp. with office address at 2025 Ipil St., Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Cua cited the latest situational report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, stating that 600 areas were flooded in different parts of the country brought by the southwest monsoon enhanced by “Karding”.

Some 342,699 families, or 1,420,802 persons, were affected in regions 1 (Ilocos), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (Calabarzon), Cordillera region, and National Capital Region. (PNA)