BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN
CEBU CITY, September 3 (PIA) -- Around 150 balikbayan boxes of foreign donations that included used clothing for Yolanda survivors are stockpiled at the Cebu International Port as the Bureau of Customs (BOC-Cebu) awaits an order from their head office to dispose of said items.
BOC-Cebu chief of staff, Atty. Kenneth Kern Sesante said under RA 4653, foreign donations or importations of used clothing are prohibited entry into Philippine shores to safeguard the health of the people.
RA 4653 enacted in June 17, 1966 is an Act to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by declaring it a national policy to prohibit the commercial importation of textile articles commonly known as used clothing and rags.
“By the end of the year, the used clothing will be condemned either by burying or burning them,” said Sesante.
Sesante said there is a guideline that exempts the condemnation of the foreign donations of used clothing and that is to give them to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“But there is a standing order from DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman not to accept donations of used clothing abroad,” said Sesante adding that they have no choice but to dispose of said items.
The BOC-Cebu chief of staff said detailed guidelines that have recently been released covering foreign donations, customs duties and claims on international donations among other related matters can now be accessed at their website customs.gov.ph.
Meanwhile, Sesante clarified that it is not their agency that caused the delayed release of foreign donations to Yolanda survivors resulting to the expiration of some perishable goods leaving them unfit to be given.
“The BOC-Cebu already waived its taxes and duties on foreign donations during the Yolanda relief operations,” said Sesante.
“And if the five-day has lapsed, the consignee already has to pay the cost which is computed per day per container,” said Sesante. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)