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The Bureau of Customs vowed to strictly implement the 60-day rice import ban beginning September 1
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BOC is strengthening its intelligence efforts and surveillance at key points of entry, ensuring that any attempt to bypass the suspension is promptly detected and addressed
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Any attempts to smuggle or misdeclare rice will not be tolerated, the agency said
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President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ordered the suspension of rice imports to protect local farmers suffering from low prices of unmilled rice
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it will strictly implement the 60-day rice import ban by heightening enforcement measures across all ports and Customs offices.
In a statement, the BOC said it is “committed to ensuring that this import ban is strictly upheld, protecting Filipino farmers from the adverse effects of cheap imported rice and maintaining stability in the local market.”
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr earlier ordered the temporary suspension of rice imports from September 1 to protect local farmers reeling from low prices for palay (unmilled rice) during the harvest season. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said Marcos’ suspension invokes the authority of the chief executive granted under the Rice Tariffication Law to temporarily halt for a limited period or limit foreign rice purchases in order to stabilize domestic prices.
The BOC said it is strengthening its intelligence efforts and surveillance at key points of entry, ensuring that any attempt to bypass the suspension is promptly detected and addressed. It added it will not tolerate any attempts to smuggle or misdeclare rice and will take immediate action against violators.
“The BOC will leave no room for violations and will ensure that this ban is fully enforced,” Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.
He directed all BOC collection districts to monitor closely and coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to ensure seamless implementation of the ban.
“As part of our efforts to combat smuggling and illegal trade, the BOC will continue to ramp up its operations to safeguard the agricultural sector,” Nepomuceno said.
“We are committed to upholding the integrity of the rice market, and we will do everything in our power to prevent any illegal importation that undermines the President’s decision,” he added.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, Marcos called on all government offices to serve “better and faster, with more empathy and integrity.” He also stressed the importance of working together and focusing on the priority concerns of the country and its citizens.
In response, BOC said it is intensifying its efforts to enhance service delivery and uphold consistent, fair enforcement of customs laws.
As of the end of July, the bureau has seized around P354 million worth of smuggled agricultural goods.
