The distribution of the smuggled rice seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to the qualified beneficiaries underwent the proper process, President Marcos assured on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hands over a sack of rice to one of the 1,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Manila on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
Marcos led the distribution of rice to 1,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
Each qualified beneficiary received one sack of 25 kilograms of rice.
“Dumaan po ito sa tamang proseso ng imbestigasyon, pagkumpiska, at inspeksyon upang matiyak na ito ay ligtas na ipamahagi sa nangangailangan (This underwent the right process of investigation, seizure and inspection to ensure the safe distribution of rice to those in need),” he said in his remark.
Marcos, who is the concurrent Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary, added this should serve as a “warning” to rice smugglers and hoarders that the government would guard the country’s rice supply.
The distributed 1,000 sacks of rice were part of the 42,180 sacks of rice seized by the BOC in an operation in Zamboanga City, that were eventually donated to the DSWD, after the importers failed to prove the legality of its importation.
The Chief Executive earlier distributed rice to 4Ps beneficiaries in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay; Iriga City, Camarines Sur; and General Trias, Cavite.
“Patuloy po tayong gumagawa ng mga kongkretong solusyon upang matugunan ang mga problemang kinakaharap ng sektor ng agrikultura (We continue to make concrete solutions in response to the problems being faced by the agricultural sector),” Marcos said.
“Kaya inaatasan ko ang lahat ng mga opisyal, mga awtoridad, at mga ahensya na higpitan nang husto ang pagpapatupad ng polisiya at batas hinggil sa isyu ng bigas (That’s why I have directed all concerned officials, authorities, and agencies to strictly enforce policies and laws regarding the rice issue),” he stressed.
Marcos also highlighted that the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” is one of the government’s interventions to address the current state of the agricultural sector in the Philippines, including the continued modernization of farming in the country.