PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated his order to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to further intensify the anti-smuggling campaign, especially against rice, in the country.

Marcos reiterated his order as he led the distribution of 5,000 confiscated imported rice of 25 kilos each to the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Zamboanga Peninsula.

The 5,000 sacks of rice distributed to 4Ps beneficiaries were part of the 42,280 sacks of imported rice worth P42 million the Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated in a raid of a warehouse in San Jose Gusu village, Zamboanga City on May 19, 2023.

Marcos said the BOC forfeited the rice in favor of the government after the owner of the imported rice failed to present documents to prove the importation was legal and that they have paid the required tariffs despite they were given ample time to justify.

"The 15 days grace period given them lapsed. They failed to answer, so the BOC forfeited it, the government took it and donated to the DSWD and the DSWD and government donated it to you," Marcos told the 4Ps beneficiaries during a program at the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Zamboanga City.

The beneficiaries were happy and all of them applauded upon hearing the announcement of the President during the program.

The recipients of the rice distribution in the city were residents of the villages of San Roque, San Jose Gusu, Mariki, Rio Hondo, Sta. Catalina, and Kasanyangan.

Marcos arrived in Zamboanga City Tuesday morning and flew aboard helicopters to Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, where he led the distribution of 1,000 sacks of confiscated imported rice to 4Ps beneficiaries.

After the distribution in Tungawan, the President returned to Zamboanga City and went to the NFA warehouse in San Roque village where he led the distribution of 3,000 sacks of confiscated imported rice.

Another 1,000 sacks of confiscated imported rice were distributed in the town of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte to 4Ps beneficiaries while the President was at the NFA warehouse.

Meanwhile, Marcos also distributed assistance to the intended recipients coming from the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic and Department of Labor and Employment. (SunStar Zamboanga)