The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority are donating 758 forfeited vehicles to various government agencies.
The donations are part of the more than 800 second-hand units seized inside the Cagayan Economic Zone in 2013 after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Executive Order 156, which banned importation of second-hand vehicles to strengthen the local automotive industry and deter smuggling.
BOC in a statement said the government in 2019 decided to donate the seized vehicles to government agencies instead of destroying or letting them rot.
Of the total, 120 units were turned over to the Philippine National Police, 60 units to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and five units to the Presidential Security Group. The remaining 573 units are earmarked for donation to other government agencies. Among donated vehicles are SUVs, vans, wagons, and high-mobility vehicles, BOC said.
A formal turnover and signing of the deed of donation was held on July 23.
