Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has vowed to enforce the 60-day suspension on rice importation which will begin early next month. In a statement on Wednesday, Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno underscored the importance of the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., highlighting its timely intervention for the country’s agricultural sector. ‘The BOC will leave no room for violations and will ensure that this ban is fully enforced,’ he said.
According to Philippines News Agency, the BOC chief said they are implementing heightened enforcement measures across all ports and Customs offices, adding that they will not tolerate any attempts to smuggle or misdeclare rice and will take immediate action against violators. ‘As part of our efforts to combat smuggling and illegal trade, the BOC will continue to ramp up its operations to safeguard the agricultural sector,’ Nepomuceno said. ‘We are committed to upholding the integrity of the rice market, and we will do everything in our power to prevent any illegal importation that undermines the President’s decision.’
The BOC chief said they are committed to ensuring that the import ban is strictly upheld, protecting Filipino farmers from the adverse effects of cheap imported rice and maintaining stability in the local market. The Customs bureau reported that it has seized around PHP354 million worth of smuggled agricultural goods as of July 2025 due to the intensified efforts to enhance service delivery and uphold consistent, fair enforcement of customs laws.
Nepomuceno said this is in response to the President’s 2025 State of the Nation Address, where Marcos called on all government offices to serve ‘better and faster, with more empathy and integrity.’ The bureau, he said, remains steadfast in its support for government priorities, especially in times of urgent national concern. By strictly enforcing the rice importation ban, the agency reinforces its commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector and ensuring its actions respond to the immediate needs of Filipino communities.
