Fate of 50K sacks of smuggled rice up to DOF, NFA: Customs

“If we donate this, it would need the approval of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez. Anything that can be auctioned off we could also donate, but that is up to the regulatory agency and the Finance Secretary,” BOC spokesperson Erastus Austria said in an interview. (File Photo By PhotoPhilia, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — The decision on whether to auction or donate the 50,000 sacks of rice that were recently seized in Manila is up to the Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Food Authority, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Monday.

“If we donate this, it would need the approval of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez. Anything that can be auctioned off we could also donate, but that is up to the regulatory agency and the Finance Secretary,” BOC spokesperson Erastus Austria said in an interview.

“Whatever the bosses deem best, we would follow. We are interested in collecting revenues but if donating the rice would help bring down the price of rice in the market, then we would do it,” he added.

He was referring to the 50,000 sacks of rice worth PHP125 million that were recently seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The rice shipment was allegedly imported by Sta. Rosa Farms Products Corporation, reportedly owned by Jomerito “Jojo” Soliman, from Thailand.

Quirino Rep. Dakila Cua has suggested that the 50,000 sacks of rice will be donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution to those affected by the recent floods.

Aside from the shipment apprehended at the MICP, some 22,000 sacks of suspected smuggled rice are set to be turned over by the Philippine Coast Guard to the BOC.

The rice were found on board two ships the M/L Overseas and M/L Nadeepa in the vicinity waters of Tamuk Island in Basilan province last August 24.