BOC donates smuggled rice to DSWD

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs turned over yesterday the P7 million worth of seized smuggled rice to the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 for Typhoon Yolanda’s victims.

BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon also turned over the three tons of used clothing also seized by the bureau to the DSWD.

“We are thankful for these donations. Dako na kaayo ning matabang sa mga biktima sa bagyo,” said DSWD regional director Mercedita Jabagat, who accepted the donations.

The 5,500 sacks of rice from Vietnam and one container van of used clothing from Singapore were seized by the BOC after they were misdeclared.

Jabagat said they will repack the items and give to typhoon victims in the northern towns of Cebu and Leyte.

Meanwhile, the P480 million in taxes and duties from foreign donations for typhoon victims that the bureau waived cannot be considered an income.

“Under the law, wala talaga silang babayaran kasi donated relief goods yan from foreign donors. The bureau is not considering this an income,” Biazon said. — /LPM (FREEMAN)