DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. warned importers of possible blacklisting in case they are deliberately holding rice inside the ports.
This comes after reports that hundreds of containers of imported rice have been left languishing inside ports in Manila.
“Definitely kailangan may blacklist ‘yung mga ganoon klaseng importers. But of course, we have to really go look at ano ba nangyari para makita talaga. Maybe may justified reason naman or whatever,” said Tiu Laurel.
The DA said that like many imports, it would require a court order before abandoned shipments can be sold in Kadiwa stores.
The Philippine Ports Authority said all unclaimed shipments will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs if they fail to claim it within the given deadline.
According to PPA, 530 containers of rice remained inside the ports of Manila as of yesterday morning, September 25.
“Titingnan po natin dahil hindi naman ang mga consignee ang mag-aabiso kung kelan nila kukunin. So sa ngayon po hangga’t hindi pa po nila napu-pullout ‘yan ay hindi natin malalaman talaga ang tamang bilang kung ilan po ang na-pullout within today,” said PPA General Manager Jay Santiago.
Tiu Laurel Jr. also allayed the fears of farmers that palay prices might drop with the big volume of imports coming into the country.
“Ang only reason na bababaan presyo natin sa ngayon ay dahil kulang talaga tayo sa post-harvest facilities. Kaya tag-ulan, basa ang palay. So, dyan nakakapag-take advantage ‘yung mga trader na ibaba ‘yung kanilang presyo,” Tiu Laurel said.
He added: “Dahil sila lang ang makakapagpatuyo nito. Actually, ‘yun ang main issue, hindi ‘yung importation. Kasi ‘yung importation na ma-monitor natin is sapat lang sa kakulangan ng ating production. So, walang over eh.” (ABS-CBN News)
