PBBM warns smugglers anew, distributes seized smuggled rice from customs
By Junex Doronio
INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE SEIZED SMUGGLED RICE to rot, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the distribution of confiscated rice to poor families as he indicated that the days of hoarders and smugglers are numbered.
“Kaysa naman masayang ang mga bigas na ito ay minabuti na nating ibigay sa mga mamamayan,” the President said.
The distributed rice was from 42,180 rice sacks worth an estimated P42 million that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) earlier seized in Zamboanga City.
“Magsisilbing babala rin ito sa mga smugglers at hoarders na ang bigas sa bansa ay ating babantayan,” President Marcos further said.
So far, the rice has been given to poor families in Zamboanga, General Trias in Cavite, Camarines Sur, and now in Manila.
The Chief Executive warned that smuggling, hoarding, and abuse are prohibited in the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines), the PBBM’s rebrand of government.
He also expressed confidence that his campaign promise that rice will be sold at P20 per kilo will still be realized once the agriculture sector and the cost of production stabilizes and normalizes. (ai/mnm)
