Marcos seeks faster release of seized rice

GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to shorten the 15 days given to rice importers to prove the legitimacy of shipments that have been confiscated by the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

Marcos made the statement after leading the distribution of seized rice to the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in this city on Friday.

The President said the shorter grace period would give the government more time to distribute seized smuggled rice to depressed communities.

«We are just waiting because before we can seize, under the law, the importer is given 15 days to explain that the importation is legal. This is why it is taking us time because we are still waiting for 15 days,» he said.

«And now we are trying to reduce the 15 days into seven days. Because if you are a legal importer, you have all the documents. If you are asked to present it, you can do it promptly. So, why do we still need 15 days?» Marcos said.

The President said importers may be able to slip the confiscated rice out to the market under the 15-day grace period.

«I said they might even try to slip it out. So, I said let us do everything in order for the Bureau of Customs to obtain it,» he said.

The 15-day grace period under Section 114 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (Republic Act 10863) gives an importer enough leeway to prove that his shipment is in order.

If the necessary documents are not produced, the BoC will issue a warrant of seizure and detention, taking the goods under its custody.

Perishable goods, such as agricultural items, will be destroyed to prevent them from reaching the market.

In special cases, the government can donate the seized items.

The President, who is also the Agriculture secretary,