The Bureau of Customs (BOC) discovered an estimated Php 30 million worth of expired meat and other frozen goods during an inspection of a warehouse in Caloocan City last August 1, 2023.

The inspection was conducted by agents of the Bureau, as well as representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio stressed the agency’s commitment in protecting the country’s borders in furtherance of the directives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Our agents work tirelessly to protect our borders and all local industries, including livestock, poultry, and meat. Not only is the local distribution of expired/spoiled meat detrimental to the health of our citizens, it also endangers our local livestock because of the possible entry of pathogenic diseases”, he said.

Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy shared that the inspection of the warehouse yielded Php 30 million worth of spoiled frozen meat and other products, such as ice cream and meat balls, among others.

“Our agriculture industries will only remain vibrant if we do our mandate of intercepting possible entry and/or local distribution of disease-bearing and/or expired/spoiled frozen meat and animal by-products, and pro-actively protecting both the consumers and our industries. Thankfully, our representatives from the BOC itself, the DA and NMIS have extensive training and experience in agricultural inspection as country’s frontliners in ensuring economic resilience,” he said.

Representatives from the DA and the NMIS did an initial evaluation of the meat products which were determined to be unfit for human consumption.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Enciso explained that proper procedures for profiling, case build-up and prosecution will be followed against those found liable.

“Protecting our consumers remains a priority of the bureau. We can ensure to put a stoppage to these nefarious activities by apprehending individuals and groups through well planned and coordinated inter-agency operations. Along with this, we must also enhance our information-sharing capabilities with key agencies to detect and deter not only the entry of illegally imported agricultural products, but also the local distribution of spoiled/expired goods unfit for human consumption, he said.

While investigations are still ongoing, the BOC reiterates its steadfast commitment in safeguarding public health thru intensified border control and security measures to curb smuggling in line with the directives of President Marcos.#