This photo shows the turnover of the confiscated P178.5 million worth of frozen mackerel to the Department of Agriculture (DA) at the Manila International Container Port on Saturday, December 14, 2024, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from left), DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel (2nd from right), Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla (left) and Bureau of Customs chief Bienvenido Rubio (right). (Photo from the Bureau of Customs)
MANILA, Philippines — Approximately 150,000 families will benefit from the seized frozen mackerel worth P178.5 million, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Saturday.
According to the BOC, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Interior and Local Government will distribute the frozen goods to 17 local government units in Metro Manila and in one region each in Region III and Region IV-A.
“An estimated 150,000 families are expected to benefit from the donation, which will begin distribution on the same day, ensuring immediate support to communities in need,” the BOC said in a statement.
It added that the donation will also be given to city jails, public hospitals, and care facilities.
READ: BOC: Over P72B smuggled goods seized from Jan to Oct 2024
The BOC also said that President Marcos the donation of the frozen mackerel to the DA during his inspection at the Manila International Container Port on Saturday, adding that the chief executive “underscored the importance of utilizing forfeited goods for the benefit of the people.”
The shipment arrived at the port last September 28 and 29 without complying with the necessary Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Upon getting abandoned and forfeited, laboratory tests were conducted to ensure that the mackerel is safe for human consumption, the BOC added.
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