President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left) and Bulacan 6th district Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr. (Facebook)

Bulacan 6th district Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr. believes that President Marcos has just thought of the "best deterrent" against the smuggling of rice. 

This, after the Chief Executive-slash-Department of Agriculture ((DA) secretary ordered that confiscated rice from hoarders and smugglers be distributed to poor Filipino families. 

"Confiscated smuggled rice can no longer be rescued by bribes," noted Pleyto, a member of the House Comittee on Agriculture and Food. 

Marcos' directive was seen in action in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay where confiscated rice was distributed to residents and the local government units (LGUs) in the province. 

“By giving them to the people, it has been placed beyond the reach of those who have illegally brought them in,” Pleyto said. 

“The President’s action sent the strong signal that there should be no revolving door for smuggled rice in the government,” added the neophyte lawmaker 

Earlier, President Marcos assured the public that his administration would tirelessly to end smuggling activities, which had been hurting the local agricultural sector. 

The President has already instructed the Bureau of Customs (BOC) headed by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to run after smugglers and put an end to their illegal operations. 

Marcos commended the BOC for their recent confiscation of 42,180 bags of imported rice worth P42 million at a warehouse in Barangay San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City on Sept. 15, 2023. 

Rice is the stable food of Filipinos.