Report that Cebu is rice smuggling point belied

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs in Cebu opposed the report that Cebu has been used in rice smuggling as reported a week ago.

Cebu Customs District Collector Ronnie Silvestre clarified that all rice imports in the Port of Cebu are properly documented and undertaken under the government programs through the National Food Authority’s Minimum Access Volume and Deferred Payment Schemes.

This after it was reported that Cebu is one of the major drop-off points for illegally imported rice from Manila as claimed by NFA Administrator Angelito Banayo.

During Banayo’s visit last February 14 they directly checked the rice warehouses in Cebu particularly in Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City, due to reports of illegally imported rice.

Also with them were personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Central Visayas.

Silvestre also opposed the report that most illegally imported rice comes from Manila where it is repacked and distributed to various drop-off points in the country.

“The report is very misleading because when imported rice is released and transported to another port it is considered domestic and BOC has no jurisdiction over it,” he explained.

He added that Customs-bonded warehouses in Cebu are closely monitored by Customs personnel who are doing a round-the-clock monitoring against smuggled rice even if they originate from other ports.

Silvestre also said that the MAV program of the national government contributed to the positive collection performance of January this year. BOC Cebu posted a P14-million surplus of its January collection of P712.8 million as against the assigned target of P698.7 million.

The NFA is currently reducing imports in order to promote local produce and the local rice market, ensuring food security. — (FREEMAN)