AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said that he will recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the distribution of frozen mackerel recently seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the ports of Manila and Subic.
Laboratory tests conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources confirmed that the smuggled fish are safe for human consumption. BFAR tested for histamine and microbiological contaminants.
Secretary Tiu Laurel said he will request the BOC to transfer the frozen mackerels to the DA so that it could be distributed by other government relief agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, or by the Office of the President.
“When President Marcos led the distribution of tons of frozen fish last December, thousands of vulnerable Filipinos received an unexpected gift,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel. “But today, the need is far more urgent. Millions have been displaced, and communities are still reeling from the devastation caused by widespread flooding. This may be a small gesture, but it could bring meaningful relief to countless struggling Filipinos.”
A total of seven container vans—two from Manila’s North Harbor and five from the Subic Freeport—were confiscated after the shipments were flagged by the Department of Agriculture’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Office, along with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
With each container van holding approximately 30 metric tons of frozen mackerel, the haul total 210 metric tons—a volume enough to provide one kilo of fish to 210,000 households.
Secretary Tiu Laurel said more container vans suspected to be loaded with fish have yet to be inspected and their contents tested.
In addition to the mackerel, most of the seized shipments also contained onions. Although laboratory tests found no traces of bacteria, heavy metals, or pesticide contamination, the BPI recommended the onions be destroyed due to visible signs of decay.
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