Bureau of Customs - Cebu releases NFA rice

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Cebu has ordered the release of 35,600 bags of NFA rice on board MV Long Thinh Star six days after it arrived in Cebu from Vietnam.

Carlito Buhay, boarding officer of BOC-Port Operations Division, said that consignees Nilo Alegado Rice and Corn Dealer and Edisa Cabuenas, through Palapo Customs Brokerage, have presented all the necessary documents including permit from the NFA.

Lawyer Ralph Sevilla, the brokerage representative said they have the permit to import from the NFA but the processing of other documents took six days before it was completed.

The rice shipment is worth more or less P16 million.

The said vessel arrived in Cebu port last July 12. 

BOC director of Collection Service Ramon Cuyco also said that the rice shipment is supported with documents to import based on the NFA Private Sector-Financed Rice Importation Program. — (FREEMAN)