DOF orders immediate release of seized rice to DSWD as 'Ompong' approaches

(Philstar.com)

September 14, 2018 - 4:13pm

Filipino forecaster Meno Mendoza shows the path of Typhoon Mangkhut, locally named Typhoon Ompong as it approaches the Philippines with sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour (127 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 255 kph (158 mph), at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in metropolitan Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. Philippine officials say they plan to evacuate thousands of villagers, shut down schools and offices and scramble to harvest rice and corn as the most powerful typhoon so far this year menacingly roars toward the country's north.

AP/Aaron Favila

MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has ordered the Bureau of Customs to immediately release seized smuggled rice and other food items to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to augment government preparations for the onslaught of typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut).

According to the Finance chief, “government-to-government transfers in emergency situations can be legally fast-tracked” as in the case of the BOC release of the seized food stocks to the DSWD for disaster relief.

Under Chapter 10, Section 1141 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, or CMTA, goods under BOC custody that are up for disposal “may be donated to another government agency or declared for official use by the Bureau, after approval of the Secretary of Finance.”

Goods suitable for shelter, food items, clothing materials and medicines “may be donated to the DSWD,” the CMTA states.

Ten areas in Luzon have been placed under Signal No. 3 Friday morning as "Ompong" barrels toward the Philippine landmass.

"Ompong" continues to threaten Northern Luzon and is forecast to make landfall in Cagayan-Isabela area early Saturday morning.

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— with Ian Nicolas Cigaral

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