Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. formally requested the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to release 580 metric tons of seized frozen mackerel to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The shipment, confiscated for lacking an import permit, is intended to aid relief operations and bolster food security efforts.
“BFAR Laboratory tests confirmed that the frozen fish is fit for human consumption, with no signs of spoilage or contamination.”
In a letter addressed to Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Tiu Laurel highlighted the findings of the National Fisheries Laboratory Division of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Laboratory tests confirmed that the frozen fish is fit for human consumption, with no signs of spoilage or contamination.
“Consequently, the fish products are deemed fit for immediate release and can be utilized to address food security needs, especially in relief operations,” the agriculture chief said.
“This initiative would support the DSWD and the Department of Agriculture’s ongoing efforts to provide essential aid to victims of the recent typhoon.”
“This initiative would support the DSWD and the Department of Agriculture’s ongoing efforts to provide essential aid to victims of the recent typhoon,” the agriculture head added.
The confiscated shipment, comprising 21 container vans loaded with frozen mackerel, arrived at the Manila International Container Port in early October without the required sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances.
A joint team from the Department of Agriculture’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Office and the BOC intercepted and seized the shipment.
Following the confiscation, Tiu Laurel directed BFAR to conduct laboratory tests to evaluate the suitability of the frozen mackerel for distribution to typhoon-affected communities.
The results of these tests confirmed that the fish is safe for human consumption.
The smuggled shipment of pelagic fish is valued at approximately P178.5 million.
