Customs giving seized rice to typhoon victims in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) - Cebu will be donating thousands of seized smuggled rice to typhoon stricken areas in northern Cebu.

BOC-Cebu District Collector Paul Alcazaren said both 4th district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon and Gov.  Hilario “Junjun” Davide III have asked him for the possibility of donating the seized rice.

“Andam og tagana mi mo-donate sa bugas. Ang ako-a karong gipa-abot ang approval ni Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon (We are ready to donate the seized rice. I am just waiting for approval from Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon),” Alcazaren said.

BOC-Cebu was able to seize the smuggled rice last April, which was loaded inside 11 container vans with wooden and stone slabs as declared cargo.

Contrary to its declared cargo, however, Alcazaren said the 11 container vans were loaded with 5,500 sacks of rice.

The seized sacks of rice were supposed to be donated to earthquake victims in Bohol.

“Pero naigo na man sa bagyo ang Cebu, so ang maong mga bugas ari na lang gyud na sa mga Cebuanos nga naigo sa bagyo ipanghatag (Cebu was also hit by the typhoon so we decided to re-channel donations to the victims here),” Alcazaren added.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 is urging companies and organization to join the Sunrise Festival from November 22-2 4, 2013 at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City.

Various activities have been lined-up to help typhoon victims. Participants are also urged to bring relief goods for victims of the typhoon in northern Cebu.  (FREEMAN)