BOC vows to strictly implement rice importation policy

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) vowed yesterday to strictly implement its “no import permit, no rice policy,” saying it is ready to seize rice shipments not supported by the required document.

Customs Commissioner John Sevilla said that while they trust the capability of the National Food Authority (NFA) to take charge of rice importations, it might allow some private importers for some reason to bring rice into the country.

“If NFA would allocate (rice importations to private importers), we would be ready. But I told them (NFA) that we would not allow the repeat of last year’s incidents wherein rice was able to come in even if there was no import permit,” Sevilla said. Sevilla assumed the top BOC post last Dec. 9.

He said it is important that they verify every rice shipment not carried out by the NFA.

“On their (NFA) side, they should be on time to issue the permit. They should not issue the permit after the fact, which they used to do,” he said.

“On our side, once the shipment arrives and it has no import permit, sorry, it will be seized. It is that simple, let us not complicate something that is simple,” he said.

The NFA would then check if the seized rice is fit for human consumption before it is offered for auction.