By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) came under scrutiny at a Department of Finance budget hearing after senators raised allegations that confiscated and supposedly condemned goods were being diverted for resale rather than destroyed as required.
Senator Joel Villanueva cited the recent National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raid in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, where chicken confiscated by the BOC was reportedly discovered being offered for sale online despite being intended for condemnation.
Villanueva questioned how goods already under government custody could have been removed from a BOC warehouse or storage facility and placed back into circulation.
“From your own warehouse o kung saan man tinatagong storage ito, nailabas pa at muntik na pong maibenta,” Villanueva said, stressing the potential public-health consequences if the products reached consumers.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan raised another case in Imus, Cavite, involving smuggled meat that was allegedly sold as feed for fish ponds.
Pangilinan questioned the possible consequences of feeding meat declared unfit for human consumption to tilapia that could eventually enter the food chain.
The concerns prompted BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno to acknowledge a weakness in the agency’s existing condemnation system.
Nepomuceno said the BOC does not have its own rendering facilities because no budget had been specifically allocated for such infrastructure, forcing the bureau to rely on private contractors to dispose of confiscated goods.
He said the agency would seek additional congressional funding to establish its own rendering and condemnation facilities.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the BOC is seeking an additional P10 billion for its proposed 2027 budget, with the construction of condemnation facilities included among the bureau’s priorities.
The senators expressed support for funding the construction of government-run facilities.
While waiting for the proposed infrastructure, Nepomuceno said the BOC has taken administrative measures in response to the reported incidents, including relieving some customs personnel responsible for the shipments and requiring the private condemnation contractors involved to explain.
He said personnel and private facility operators found to have committed violations could face charges.
“Once we can prove that indeed there are infractions, not only by the personnel of BOC but including yung may-ari ng condemnation facility, we will charge them for possible smuggling violation,” Nepomuceno said.
The issue comes as the BOC faces continuing scrutiny over its handling of confiscated agricultural products and other smuggled commodities. On Sept. 22, the bureau filed complaints against 14 individuals, including nine of its own personnel, over allegedly misdeclared agricultural shipments at the Port of Subic.
The latest Senate hearing placed the disposal process itself under examination, particularly the safeguards meant to ensure that seized goods ordered destroyed do not find their way back into the market.
ia/xf
