PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Bureau of Customs (Bucor) to beef up their efforts against hoarders and illegal importers of rice amid its increasing prices.
In a press conference in Malacañang on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said as ordered by Marcos, they will validate all warehouses that are storing imported rice.
He said they will issue letters of authority for the conduct of inspection on these warehouses.
The BOC recently inspected three warehouses at the Intercity Industrial Complex in San Juan Balagtas Bulacan where they found imported rice from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand with an initial estimated aggregate value of P505 million.
Owners and operators of the said warehouses were barred from retrieving the goods unless they can present required documents on their rice importation. They were given until September 8, 2023 to prove they paid the necessary duties for the goods.
Rubio assured that cases will be filed if proven that the owners and operators of the said warehouses do not have the necessary permits and other documents.
He also mentioned the ongoing collaboration of BOC with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the filing of charges against smugglers who have been apprehended.
“Doon po sa mga nakasuhan, tuloy-tuloy naman po kaming nagfa-file ng kaso and now we are in close collaboration, coordination with DOJ para mapabilis ‘yung pagsampa ng kaso at pag-file ng charges against the smugglers po na nahuli natin, na-identify natin,” he said.
Rubio said they also give 20 percent commission to individuals who can provide them information about the smugglers and hoarders, except if the goods were donated, declared for official use, re-exported, or disposed of.
"If I’m not mistaken it’s about 20 percent of the value of the goods. Kapag iyong goods po na nakuha natin are goods of value na puwede nating i-auction then they are entitled," he said.
"Only actual cash proceeds from the sale of smuggled goods and confiscated goods, or actual collection of additional revenues shall be the subject of reward," he added.
Earlier, Marcos who is also the secretary of the DA directed the agriculture department and the DTI to closely monitor the prices of rice while ensuring that the country has sufficient supply.
Based on the monitoring of the Department of Agriculture (DA), well-milled local commercial rice is sold at P42 to P52 per kilo in markets in Metro Manila while regular milled local commercial rice at P38 to P50 per kilo.(SunStar Philippines)