Manila: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced plans to formally request the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to hand over 50 metric tons of frozen mackerel currently held at the Port of Manila to the Department of Agriculture (DA). This request follows findings that the fish is safe for human consumption.

According to Philippines News Agency, Laurel referenced President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s initiative to balance public health with food access while curbing smuggling activities. Laurel emphasized the commitment to safeguarding food supply, protecting farmers and fisherfolk, and ensuring public health. He highlighted that the administration aims to prevent safe food from going to waste, by distributing it to Filipino families.

Tests conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed that the mackerel met both Philippine and international microbiological safety standards. The tests checked for acceptable levels of E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and aerobic bacteria, determining the fish safe for consumption.

The seized mackerel, estimated to be worth between PHP13 million and PHP20 million, has the potential to provide 50,000 families with one kilogram each. The shipment was part of six containers flagged by the DA's Inspectorate and Enforcement Service (IES) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). The remaining containers, containing red and yellow onions, are undergoing tests for pesticide residue, heavy metals, and bacterial contamination. Additional smuggled goods at the Port of Subic, including mackerel, onions, and carrots, are also being tested.

Laurel noted that this initiative mirrors a previous effort in December when President Marcos led the donation of 21 container vans of smuggled frozen mackerel worth PHP178.5 million to the public, after clearance for consumption. The goods in question entered the country without the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary permits.

The DA expressed its commitment to working closely with the BOC and other enforcement agencies to combat agricultural smuggling while ensuring safe, recovered food is used to benefit the public. Laurel reiterated their dedication to maintaining food supply integrity, supporting farmers and fisherfolk, and ensuring that safe, edible food is not wasted.