Rubio commits to help House on ‘hoarding’ probe
BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio has committed to helping the House of Representatives monitor the entry of agricultural products into the Philippines.
This is in connection with the House Committee on Agriculture and Food’s ongoing investigation into hoarding agricultural goods and the consequent price “manipulation” that causes hefty price increases on such goods.
Rubio served as a resource person Tuesday during the briefing of the members of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) with the House Committee on Appropriations.
“I would like to thank the Bureau [of Customs] for sending over your personnel yesterday (Monday) who shed light on recent rates on supposed [hoarders] of illegal onions,” Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-Jay” Suarez said in a manifestation.
“With respect to this, we ask the Bureau of Customs to give us a regular update on not only onions but on all agricultural products na pumapasok sa ating bansa. Can we ask this from your agency?” the solon asked.
“Yes sir, yes, Mr. Chair,” Rubio readily answered.
Rubio, who was installed as BOC chief around two weeks ago, also assured the House panel that the agency isn’t remiss in its mandate against smuggling, which could be the unfortunate effect of hoarding and artificial shortages of basic commodities.
“The Bureau of Customs is relentless in our fight against smuggling, that’s why we have a lot of apprehensions now,” he said.
Rubio also said that as it stands, the agency’s revenue target for 2023 is P901.337 billion.
