• The BOC is looking for the possibility of donating seized smuggled rice to Kidapawan farmers
• The bureau has 10 container vans of smuggled rice that could be made available for donations
• The stocks will be checked if they are still fit for human consumption
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is looking into the possibility of donating seized smuggled rice to drought-hit farmers of North Cotabato.
After receiving information that there could be at least 10 container vans of smuggled rice that could be made available for donations, BOC Commissioner Alberto Lina ordered an inventory of their warehouses’ contents to know the items available for “immediate disposal.”
“We are checking our stocks all over the country, the seized rice if these could be donated,” BOC Commissioner Alberto Lina said.
Aside from checking the available stocks that can be donated, Lina said the smuggled rice has to be inspected if they are still fit for human consumption.
The approval of Department of Finance is needed before the seized goods could be donated.
Raymund Antonio mentioned in his article for Manila Bulletin that was published on Thursday, April 7, that the BOC’s initiative was triggered by the appeal for support of North Cotabato farmers who are adversely affected by the long dry spell gripping the country.
Last week, three farmers died during the violent dispersal of a rally of drought-stricken farmers who were asking the government for food assistance.
Rice donations from different groups and individuals have been pouring in since the deadly dispersal.
Personalities from the movie industries like Angel Locsin, Daniel Padilla, Karla Estrada, Mariel Rodriguez Padilla, Bianca Gonzalez-Intal, directors Perci Intalan and Jun Robles donated 400 sacks of rice to the farmers.
Action star Robin Padilla donated 200 sacks, while celebrity sisters Anne and Jasmine Curtis gave 220 sacks of rice.
Davao City recently approved the release of P31.5 million from its calamity fund to buy 15,000 sacks of rice to be donated to the farmers in Kidapawan City.
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