Gov to BOC: Release rice shipment for storm victims

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday urged officials of the Bureau of Customs-Cebu to release the rice shipments intended for typhoon victims of Isabel town in Leyte Province.

Davide said if the rice shipment is intended for typhoon victims, then these should be released immediately.

The 6,000 bags of rice were put on hold by the officials of the Bureau of Customs in Cebu who said that they are still waiting the results of the rice samples.

Customs police officials submitted samples of the rice to the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna, to determine if the rice was local or imported.

The Customs police earlier issued an alert order and held the rice shipment onboard the MV Queen of Joy, which is still docked at Pier 2 in Cebu City.

Philphos is listed as consignee of the shipment.

Isabel Mayor Marcos Gregorio Cerillo said the shipment is badly needed by his 40,000 constituents affected by typhoon Yolanda.

Ramon Tan, president of Isabel's Association of Barangay Councils, and also Philphos port operations vice president, also said that the shipment was from Manila and was bound for his town.

The ship, however, first made a stop in Cebu City to get 12,000 packs of relief goods coming from Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

Philphos, who has a manufacturing plant in Isabel, has been extending help by giving relief goods to the affected towns.

Based on a receipt from Maunlad Rice Mill, the company paid P27.1 million for the said rice shipment.  (FREEMAN)