Importers began pulling out "abandoned" rice shipments at the Port of Manila after the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) called out the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to hasten the processing of the cargoes for release.
The PPA said at least 300 containers loaded with imported rice were pulled out over the weekend.
"We look forward to the pullout of other overstaying container vans of rice in the next few days and until the end of the month," PPA general manager Jay Santiago said in a Palace briefing.
The PPA earlier reported that 888 shipping vans containing approximately 20 million kilograms of rice had been left to languish in the Manila port, adding that consignees might deliberately keep the imported rice unclaimed in anticipation of higher market prices.
The Department of Agriculture had warned that importers may face charges of hoarding over the unclaimed container vans.
The BOC has denied reports claiming that rice shipments accumulate at Manila ports, adding that pending actions required by consignees are delaying the release of these shipments.
BOC commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio stressed, "The Bureau of Customs remains committed to ensuring that the release of rice shipments follows the legal procedures without unnecessary delays. We urge consignees to act promptly to avoid further disruptions. The BOC stands ready to enforce abandonment proceedings as mandated by law if goods remain unclaimed."
At the Port of Manila, 258 containers of rice remain in the yard. Of these, 237 containers have been cleared for release after payment of duties and taxes. The remaining 21 containers, accounting for 8.13%, had their Goods Declarations lodged only on 20 September 2024 and are still cleared.
Similarly, at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), 630 containers of rice remain in the yard. Of these, 492 containers have been cleared for release, while 138 containers are still pending payment of duties and taxes.
DA spokesperson Arnel De Mesa said that losses in the local agriculture sector due to typhoons and bad weather do not affect rice supply during the holiday season.
De Mesa said this is owing to the country's strong rice harvest for the year, which was 20 million tons, and the importation volume of three million MT.
He said losses of about 420,000 MT of rice "is within the limit" that the DA included in its projections.
"So, in terms of supply, we have a good projection. In price, we have seen imported rice sold at P42 and local rice at P45."
The PPA, meanwhile, said that consignees have until the end of the month to remove the remaining unclaimed rice shipments before they are turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
Santiago said that under the Customs Modernization Tariff Act, cargo that is unclaimed 30 days after clearance by customs can be declared abandoned and disposed of.
"It will be up to the Bureau of Customs to decide if they will auction it off or if they feel that it can be donated to other agencies that will put it to good use," he continued.
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