The government will continue to distribute confiscated smuggled rice to poor families in the country under President Marcos' orders.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWS) Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said the agency will keep distributing rice donations as long as it receives confiscated smuggled rice seized by authorities.
Marcos led the distribution of two batches of seized smuggled rice in Zamboanga Sibugay and Cavite last week.
“Well, depende po sa (it depends on the) supply. But then that’s the thrust of the President, it’s the thrust of Secretary Rex Gatchalian na hangga’t mayroon pong nadu-donate sa atin, patuloy po nating ipapasa o ibabahagi din sa ating mga kababayan dahil alam din naman po natin iyong pangangailangan ng mga poor and afflicted natin na mga kababayan (that as long as there are donations, we will continue to give them to poor Filipinos because we know what the poor and afflicted need),” Lopez said in a news forum in Quezon City when asked about the sustainability of DSWD donations.
According to Lopez, the government expects the rice distribution campaign to serve as a stern warning to rice smugglers, hoarders and profiteers for them to think twice before engaging in illegal activities, pointing out the commodity that they illegally imported may end up as DSWD donation to poor families.
The DSWD official also thanked the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Office of the President for providing and facilitating the transfer of smuggled rice to the DSWD for eventual distribution to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
As mandated by the President, the DSWD has been carrying out rice distribution in various areas.
Smuggled rice was given to 1,200 beneficiaries in General Trias, Cavite on Sept. 22.This followed the distribution of 1,500 sacks of rice to families in Zamboanga Sibugay on Sept. 19.
READ MORE: Marcos slams rice smugglers for inflicting suffering on poor families