MANILA: Officials of the Customs bureau in Cagayan de Oro intercepted thousands bags of white rice allegedly illegally imported at Macabalan port.
District Customs Collector, lawyer Ruby Claudia Alameda, issued four alert orders on four import entries covering the shipment of 68,000 bags of rice consigned to Soda Enterprises in Iligan City.
The said imported rice came from Vietnam.
Alameda issued the alert order following the recommendation of the intelligence group that the shipment might have violated Section 2503 of the Tariff and Customs Code such as over quantity and under valuation.
Alameda said the Customs duty of the shipment amounted to more than P33 million.
Customs officials immediately validated and checked all necessary documents pertaining to the shipments in coordination with National Food Authority (NFA) and found no irregularity in the shipment.
“Walang misdeclaration and upon validating wala namang problema sa quality ng shipment,” Alameda said.
Alameda said Soda enterprises acquired import permit and clearance from the NFA.
Alameda added they normally issue alert orders to carefully scrutinize and validate documents and quality of shipments especially on rice importation.
“We want to protect the interest of the farmers and the agriculture sector,” she said.
Alameda said the alert order can be lifted soon upon the recommendation of the district intelligence division of the Customs bureau and after the consignee pays correct duties and taxes and compliance of the customs laws, rules and regulations.
