9M kg rice, 256 other food containers stockpiled at Manila ports

Over nine million kilograms of rice are stored in 356 container vans at Manila ports, according to a report by Maki Pulido for GMA Integrated News.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has sent the Department of Agriculture (DA) a list of importers who have yet to claim their rice shipments at the Manila South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal as of September 30.

Customs Assistant Commissioner Jet Maronilla expressed concern that importers might be using this period to create a false supply issue, while DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa suggested they wait for better prices due to lower storage costs at ports compared to private warehouses.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago informed the DA about pork, chicken, and onion imports being monitored after earlier warnings of deliberate stockholding by some rice importers.

As of September 30, there are 135 containers of pork shipments, 101 containers of chicken, and 24 containers of onions at the ports with some exceeding the 30-day dwell time limit, raising concerns about food safety and product quality.