The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is exhausting legal remedies for the possibility of shortening the number of days given to importers to prove the legitimacy of their importation.

In his speech during the distribution of rice in General Trias Cavite on Friday, President Marcos said they are studying to shorten the 15-day period for importers to submit documents proving the legality of their importation to seven days.

“Kaya nag-antay lang kami dahil bago mo huhulihin, nasa batas, kailangan ‘yung importer ay mag … kailangan patunayan within 15 days na legal ‘yung kanilang inimport (import). Kaya’t medyo natagalan dahil inantay pa natin ‘yung 15 days,” President Marcos said.

“At sinusubukan natin ngayon bawasan ‘yung 15 days into seven days. Dahil kung legal ka na importer, hawak mo lahat ng dokumento. Pag hinanap sa iyo ‘yan, bibigay niyo kaagad. So, bakit pa 15 days?,” the chief executive added.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized 42,180 bags of imported rice worth PhP42 million following a raid in Brgy. San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City last May 19, 2023.

As part of the procedure, the BOC opted to donate the seized bags of rice to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 15 days after the importers failed to provide documents proving the legality of their importation.

“Sabi ko, baka kung anong mangyari diyan, mailulusot pa nila ‘yan. Kaya’t sabi ko, gawin natin ang lahat para makuha na ng pamahalaan, makuha na ng Bureau of Customs,” President Marcos said.

“Ang Bureau of Customs naman ay ginawa ‘yung nakuha na bigas na ito ay binigay na donasyon sa DSWD. Kaya’t ang dinaanan namin sa pagbigay ay ang 4Ps. Ginamit natin ‘yung listahan ng mga 4Ps,” he added.

President Marcos led on Friday the distribution of 1,200 sacks of rice to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries of the DSWD and the distribution of assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to farmers in General Trias, Cavite. PND