Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez with Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Assistant Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo, ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Eric Yap and other Custom officials inspect the overstaying container vans of rice at the Manila International Container Terminal, Port Area Manila Wednesday afternoon. Photo by VER NOVENO
Speaker Romualdez to importers of rice stored at BOC-MICP: Distribute goods ASAP
HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has asked the importers of the 523 containers of imported rice stored at the Bureau of Customs -Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) yard to immediately distribute them to the market to help lower the price of rice.
“Parang hoarding din ito pero ginagamit ang facilities ng gobyerno, dahil mas mura dito,” said Romualdez when he led an on-site inspection at the MICP on Wednesday, following reports that more than 800 containers or up to 23 million kilos of imported rice have been stored for a long time at the said port.
Speaker Romualdez was accompanied by House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo and ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Edvic Yap and BOC officials led by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, during the said inspection.
“Magtulungan na lang tayo imbes na mag-isip kayo na tataas yung profit ninyo at the expense ng ating consumers,” the House leader stressed.
According to the BoC’s record, there are currently 523 containers of imported rice in MICP worth P750,000 per container.
Romualdez made a visit to the MICP because of the continuous complaints of rice shortage during his market visits in recent days.
Romualdez further said that it seems that some importers are taking advantage of the reglementary period at the BoC before they release their rice.
Such inspection at the BoC is still part of the continuous campaign of the House of Representatives to eradicate rice hoarding and smuggling in the country, to ensure cheap rice in the market which is the main goal of the administration of President Marcos to ensure the orderly food supply in the country.
Romualdez also called for the rice containers to be released immediately and to ensure that those found to be hoarding rice be held accountable.
“We are here to send a clear message: rice hoarding, smuggling, and other illegal activities that threaten the accessibility and affordability of our staple grain will not be tolerated,” warned the leader of the more than 300-strong members of the House of Representatives.
The Speaker added that the report of overstaying rice containers added to the government’s concern about the manipulation of rice supply in the market.
Romualdez called on importers to stop abusing the 30-day reglementary period at the BoC before they release the rice to the market because it is clear that it is also hoarding.
According to Section 1129(d) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, shipments must be received within 30 days and refunds and other payment duties must be settled.
It can be recalled that recently Speaker Romualdez also led a series of surprise inspections in rice warehouses in Bulacan after the news of rice hoarding.
The BoC assured that they will immediately comply with the Speaker’s call.
The BoC added that cargoes found to have exceeded the 30-day regulatory period will be declared abandoned and may be confiscated by the agency and distributed to government branches, particularly the DSWD for distribution to the poor.
