Seized smuggled rice given to 4Ps recipients in Zamboanga City

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of confiscated smuggled rice to less-fortunate citizens in Zamboanga City on Tuesday, Sept. 19. PHOTO SCREEN GRABBED FROM RTVM

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday oversaw the distribution of around 1,500 sacks of smuggled rice as donations for various beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Zamboanga City.

The donated rice was part of the 42,180 smuggled sacks of rice recently forfeited by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga (BOC-POZ) after being confiscated in a warehouse in Barangay San Jose Gusu in Zamboanga City.

READ: Customs forfeits P42 M smuggled rice in Zamboanga

According to Marcos, in a speech, the said rice was confiscated after the warehouse operator failed to explain where the imported rice came from and where they paid their tariffs and taxes.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of confiscated smuggled rice to less-fortunate citizens in Zamboanga City on Tuesday, Sept. 19. PHOTO SCREEN GRABBED FROM RTVM

“Kaya kinuha na ng gobyerno, kinuha na ng customs at ginawang donation sa DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] at gagawing donation ng DSWD at gobyerno sa inyo,” Marcos told 4Ps beneficiaries.

(That’s why the government took it, the customs took it and donated it to the DSWD, and the DSWD and the government will donate it to you.)

Marcos then assured the public that the government is committed to ending the smuggling, which he said affected the agricultural sector in the country.

“Kailangan sapat ang pagkain para sa ating mga kababayan. Kasama diyan ay pinapatibay natin ang sistema ng agrikultura. Ngunit hindi lamang, ‘yun ang nagiging problema sa agrikultura dito sa Pilipinas, ang isang napakalaking problema ay ang pag-smuggle ng bigas papasok ng Pilipinas,” Marcos said.

(We need sufficient food for our fellow countrymen. Along with that, we are strengthening the agricultural system. Not only that, but also one of the biggest problems in agriculture here in the Philippines is the smuggling of rice into the country.)

“Hindi lamang pag-ayos ng agricultural sector ang ating kailagang gawin. Kailangan din nating pagtibayin ang ating pag-impose ng mga batas tungkol nga sa pagbigay ng suplay ng bigas sa atin, sa buong Pilipinas. Hindi tama na nagpapasok sila, iniipit nila ang suplay, pinapataas nila ang presyo, naghihirap ang tao para lang kumita sila ng malaki,” he added.

(Fixing the agricultural sector is not the only thing we need to do. We also need to strengthen our enforcement of laws regarding rice supply throughout the Philippines. It’s not right that they bring it in, hoard the supply, raise prices, and make people suffer to earn a big profit.)

Apart from the rice donation, Marcos, during his visit to Zamboanga City, also led the turnover of several financial grants and aid to various beneficiaries.

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