P40 million rice seized in warehouse raids

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC), along with other government agencies, seized an estimated P40 million worth of suspected smuggled rice from Cavite and Las Piñas.

This happened shortly after the BOC confiscated some 42,180 sacks of rice worth P42 million following a raid on a warehouse in Zamboanga City late last week. The agency inspection revealed tens of thousands of sacks of Alas Jasmine fragrant rice.

For the Cavite and Las Piñas raids, the BOC learned that a 25-kilo sack of rice was reportedly being sold at P1,320 in the market or P52.8 per kilo.

The BOC said the price was beyond the ceilings set by the Department of Agriculture (DA), which are P41 a kilo for regular milled rice and P45 per kilo for well-milled.

It was unclear if the rice seized falls under the two categories. Special rice varieties are not covered by the price caps. The warehouse owners also reportedly said they were not importers but rice traders.

The BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Enforcement and Security Service, Port of Manila, and Legal Service and the Philippine Coast Guard and barangay officials conducted the raid on Sept. 14.

They reportedly conducted an inspection, extensive

investigation, surveillance and test purchases before raiding the warehouse in Pulang Lupa, Las Piñas, and in Bacoor, Cavite.

The BOC noted that the warehouses, owned by a single trader, were found to be storing rice products from Vietnam, Thailand and China, with an aggregate value of P40 million.

The BOC requested the warehouse owner to provide proof of payment of correct duties and taxes from their supplier or importer.

The owner was given a 15-day period to submit the necessary documents to validate the legality of the importation of the subject sacks of rice, and check if correct duties and taxes were paid.

In defense, the warehouse owner reportedly claimed that they were not importers but rather rice traders.

The BOC conducted the operation in line with President Marcos’ directive to intensify efforts against rice smuggling, hoarding and illicit trading in the country, aimed at ensuring affordable staple food for people amidst rising rice prices.

Rice micro-retailers receive cash aid

Meanwhile, a total of 37 micro rice retailers in Tarlac and 25 in Pampanga received cash aid amounting to P15,000 each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD Regional Office III program coordinator Wilma Gutierrez said that the listed beneficiaries were monitored and certified by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as compliant to EO 39.

“While it is challenging to comply with the EO, we still thank you for following the imposed prices on regular milled and well-milled rice,” she told the recipients.

Gutierrez explained that beneficiaries need to present a government-issued identification card and a copy of their business permit for verification.

A total of 25 micro rice retailers in Pampanga also received their P15,000 each from the DSWD.

According to DTI officer-in-charge and regional director Brigida Pili, she asked micro rice retailers to be patient, as the price cap is just a temporary response to the increasing prices of rice in the country.

“We know that you are losing profit because you bought rice at P48 per kilo, and now that you were asked to sell them at P41 or 45 per kilo, you are losing about P7 per kilo. We hope that this (cash assistance) serves as a form of economic relief for you,” she said.

The agency provided the list of qualified micro rice retailers after conducting price monitoring activities in public markets. — Louise Maureen Simeon, Ric Sapnu