SOME 300 containers of rice that have been found “overstaying” at the Port of Manila have been claimed by their respective consignees, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said yesterday, September 23.
These were part of the 888 containers containing 23 million kilos of imported rice that the PPA had flagged as unclaimed despite being cleared by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
“Dahil sa ating pagsisiwalat ng mga overstaying containers po diyan ng bigas, over the weekend lamang po ay nasa tatlondaang containers po ang na-pullout na ng mga kaniya-kaniyang consignees nito,” PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said in a Palace press briefing.
“We look forward na sa mga darating pa pong mga araw hanggang katapusan po ng buwang ito ay tuluyan pa pong mababawasan iyong mga overstaying containers natin diyan na naglalaman ng bigas,” he added.
Santiago said unclaimed shipments by October 1 will be declared “abandoned” by the BOC and may be put to auction or donated to other agencies.
No port congestion
The PPA chief also assured the public that the country has not been experiencing congestion in any of its ports and is actually prepared for the expected increase in cargo traffic due to the upcoming holiday season.
“Handa na po ang mga pantalan natin sa pagdagsa noong mga kargamento ‘no, na kinakailangan para sa darating na kapaskuhan,” Santiago said.
He added: “Inaasahan po natin na tataas po iyong cargo traffic natin sa mga terminal ng PPA leading towards Christmas, starting November hanggang bago po mag-Chinese New Year sa susunod na taon.”
DA probe
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is currently working with relevant government agencies to ascertain whether a case of hoarding or profiteering may be pursued against the consignees of the overstaying rice containers.
“Identified naman kung sino iyong consignee, as per GM Santiago. So, part ito ng pag-review namin ngayon,” DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel De Mesa said in the same press briefing. (PNA)
