MANILA – Customs commissioners Isidro Lapeña said the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is not delaying the release of rice importations, which allegedly blamed for the spike in the price of the commodity.
“I would like to address the issue being reported that the spike in rice prices in the country was caused by the delays in the release of rice shipments by the Bureau of Customs,” Lapeña said in a statement.
“To set the record straight, I would like to clarify that there is no delay in the customs clearance of rice imports in all ports. In fact, I have ordered all district collectors to expedite the processing of essential food such as rice, sugar, pork, and chicken to aid the supply issue,” he added.
Reports quoting Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol have it that the BOC has been slow in releasing rice shipments.
The Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority have been drawing flak over rising prices of rice due to thin supply of the government-subsidized variety.
“It cannot be avoided that in some instances, the customs clearance procedure cannot be completed without the corresponding import permit from the National Food Authority pursuant to NFA Memorandum Circular No. AO-2018-05-001,” Lapeña noted.
“Knowing the importance and urgency to release these shipments, I have sent a letter request to the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority dated September 10 to expedite the release of the import permits since it cannot be released on our end without such permit,” he said.
NFA permits must be secured prior to the arrival rice shipments in the country.
“However, some importers would comply with the requirement on the date of arrival or even three to five days after the arrival of their rice shipments. If only NFA permits were submitted to the Bureau before the arrival of these shipments, then an efficient and faster Customs clearance process can be made,” Lapeña said.
“This is how important NFA import permits are in the clearance of rice shipments. Prompt issuance of import permits by the NFA coupled by timely submission to the Bureau of Customs will in effect make customs clearance of rice shipments on schedule,” he said.
The Customs chief said the BOC is one with President Rodrigo Duterte in alleviating the current rice supply situation in the country. (GMA News)
