THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) submitted a list of consignees with overstaying rice imports at two ports in the country.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago stated that the tactics of many importers are not helpful, especially since cargoes, particularly rice, have been sitting in ports for a long time.
One of the main campaigns of the Marcos administration is the promise to lower rice prices.
The letter sent to Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel detailed the importation inventory until Sept. 30 at the Manila South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal.
The letter also mentioned that a total of 819 TEUs or twenty-foot equivalent units are currently at the two ports.
There are 40 TEUs that have exceeded 30 days at MICT and rice shipments that have remained unclaimed for 287 days despite clearance from the Bureau of Customs.
Aside from rice shipments, Santiago mentioned that the list includes inventories of pork, chicken, and onion shipments.
