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The Bureau of Customs temporarily padlocked on August 30 four warehouses in Bulacan
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The bureau received “derogatory information” on the facilities storing rice and palay (unmilled rice) worth P519 million
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Found were 154,000 sacks of imported rice and 60,000 sacks of palay
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) temporarily padlocked on August 30 four warehouses in Bulacan storing rice and palay (unmilled rice) worth P519 million.
The move followed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s directive to stop hoarders and illegal rice importers.
Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the bureau received “derogatory information” about the warehouses and immediately acted on its verification for subsequent issuance of letters of authority (LOA) signed by Customs chief Bienvenido Rubio. The LOAs were served to the warehouses representatives before inspection of the facilities.
BOC discovered 154,000 sacks of imported rice grains and 60,000 sacks of palay in the following warehouses:
- JJS Rice Mill/ Warehouse, Wakas, Bocaue, Bulacan
- Gold Rush Rice Mill 2, Wakas, Bocaue, Bulacan
- Gold Rush Ricemill/ Warehouse, San Juan, Balagtas, Bulacan
- A gray-colored gate inside the Intercity Industrial Complex in San Juan, Balagtas, Bulacan
The rice grains allegedly originated from Vietnam and Pakistan and have an estimated value of P431 million; the sacks of palay are valued at P88 million, according to the BOC.
On August 24, three other rice warehouses were also inspected for storing allegedly smuggled rice.
RELATED READ: BOC shuts warehouses with smuggled rice worth P505M
The price of rice has been steadily increasing since last year, with some sectors pointing to smugglers and hoarders as the culprit. Marcos during the election period had promised to bring down the price of rice to P20 per kilo. Currently, the commodity’s per kilo price ranges from P45 to P60.
“Yesterday, we had a sectoral meeting with (President Marcos), who gave a clear directive about how we can help stop the rising cost of rice in the market. So, this is our answer to that order,” said Rubio in a statement.
“We have just discovered four warehouses storing rice grains and palay, and if the owners of these warehouses fail to show proper documents that they legitimately imported the subject sacks of rice and paid correct duties and taxes thereon, then we will take immediate legal action and confiscate the items here,” he added.
The BOC inspection team was led by Uy, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso, elements of the CIIS at the Manila International Container Port and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Task Force Aduana.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Representatives Erwin Tulfo, Wilfrido Mark Enverga, and Ambrosio Cruz Jr. witnessed the inspection.
Enciso said the “impressive results” of the recent operations should fire up the bureau to “put an end to rice smuggling.”
The inventory of the imported goods is being conducted by the assigned Customs examiners and witnessed by agents from CIIS, PCG, and the warehouse representatives.
The bureau’s visit and inspection is in accordance with Chapter 2, Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
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