LEGAZPI CITY (Sept 24, 2012) - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) in this city ordered the seizure of 94,000 bags of Vietnam Rice worth P 112.8 – Million over the weekend.
The seizure order signed by Legazpi city BOC collector Leovigildo Dayosa was issued to the National Food Authority (NFA) Albay branch after the grain agency failed to meet the deadline last week to submit the required import permits and other related documents of the said rice imports.
NFA Albay manager Yoly Navarro said her office is still waiting for the memorandum of undertaking between the five consignees and NFA administrator Lito Banayo.
Navarro also said they have already requested the NFA central office to send the necessary documents and import permits required by the BOC for the release the rice cargo.
According to Dayosa, the BOC had already secured the imported rice cargo on board the Vietnamese vessel “M/V Minh Tuan 68”, which arrived at the Legazpi Port last Sept. 2.
A copy of the Customs seizure order was also given to the Minh Truong GSC, the shipping agent based in Port Area, Manila.
If was also reported, that the Vietnamese vessel carrying the rice cargo also faces eight Marine pollution violation, filed with the Philippines Coast Guard in Legazpi City. – (SONNY SALES)