Sunday, July 13, 2008 Customs to turn over seized clothes to DSWD
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu will turn over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) the 480 bales of used clothing seized from smugglers.
Port of Cebu District Collector Ricardo Belmonte said the turnover will be done next week because Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales has to attend a meeting in Malacañang.
The used clothing will be turned over to DSWD for donation to typhoon Frank victims, said Belmonte.
Container vans
Assistant Assessment Chief Florante Ricarte said the used clothing are placed in five container vans and stored at the customs holding area at the Cebu International Port.
The shipment arrived in Cebu from Singapore on Sept. 22, 2007 and was declared as used household articles, said Ricarte.
Belmonte issued a warrant of seizure and detention and the used clothing was forfeited in favor of the government because importing it is prohibited by law.
The BOC donates shipments of used clothing to DSWD every year because the agency cannot sell it through public auction.
Carlos Corsiga, the assessment chief, said the used clothing will be a great help to those who lost their belongings during the typhoon.
Aside from used clothing, the Port of Cebu has also donated 10 used sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to the Cebu City Government.
Instead of selling forfeited vehicles through public auction, the BOC is donating them to local government units or government agencies in need of transportation, Ricarte said.
Like used clothing, SUVs are prohibited importations and cannot be sold through public auction. (EOB)
