ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (leftmost), House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has told the importers of the 523 containers full of rice stored at the Bureau of Customs -Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) yard to immediately infuse the market with these grains in order to help lower rice prices.

This, as the House leader described the act of keeping the rice stocks at the port for an extended period of time as "similar to hoarding".

“Parang hoarding din ito pero ginagamit ang facilities ng gobyerno, dahil mas mura dito,” said Romualdez when he led an on-site inspection at the MICP on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

(This is similar to hoarding, but government facilities are being used, because it's cheaper.)

Romualdez led the inspection at the MiCP following reports that more than 800 containers or up to 23 million kilos of imported rice were "overstaying" at the port. He has also received repeated complaints of rice shortage during his market visits in recent days.

The Speaker was accompanied by House Deputy Majority Leader ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, ACT Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap; and Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials led by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, during the inspection.

He called on all relevant authorities to expedite the release of the rice containers and ensure that any individual or group involved in the illegal withholding of rice was held accountable.

“Magtulungan na lang tayo imbes na mag-isip kayo na tataas yung profit ninyo at the expense ng ating consumers,” stressed Romualdez.

(Let's just help each other instead of thinking of ways to raise profits at the expense of our consumers.)

According to the BOC's record, there are currently 523 containers of imported rice in MICP worth P750,000 per container.

Romualdez further said that it seems some importers had been taking advantage of the reglementary period at the BOC before they release their rice.

"We are here to send a clear message: rice hoarding, smuggling, and other illegal activities that threaten the accessibility and affordability of our staple grain will not be tolerated," said Speaker

According to the Speaker, the reports on the overstaying rice containers add to growing concerns over the manipulation of rice supply in the market, which has contributed to rising prices,

BOC officials says the agency is dedicated to processing rice shipments efficiently to stabilize market prices and maintain a steady supply of this crucial commodity and has urged consignees to act promptly to expedite the immediate distribution of rice and prevent avoidable delays.