Officials from the lower house conducted an inspection at the Bureau of Customs – Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) last Wednesday amid recent concerns over the delay of the release of rice shipments.
In a statement, the BOC said House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez led the visit along with ACT-CIS Party-List representatives, Erwin Tulfo and Edvic Yap.
During the said activity, BOC commissioner Bienvenido Rubio clarified there is no congestion, and all shipments have already been cleared by Customs.
Rubio said the delays are not caused by port-related issues but rather the practice of importers in maximizing the 30-day allowable period to claim their shipments upon settlement of customs duties and taxes due thereon.
Romualdez urged rice importers to expedite the release of tax-paid shipments and promptly pull out their shipments to ensure adequate rice supply and avoid potential price hikes, and refrain from illegal hoarding activities lest face the full force of the law.
In response, Rubio assured that the BOC is fully committed in facilitating the prompt release of rice shipments, working diligently to prevent disruptions in the rice supply chain and curtail illegal hoarding activities.
