Customs denies seizing international donations

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday denied reports that it is blocking shipments of foreign donations intended for victims of tropical storm Ondoy (international name: Ketsana). "Wala po kaming sini-seize na donations from abroad. As a matter of fact, I have already ordered the outright release of these donations dahil kailangang-kailangan ‘yan ng bayan," Commissioner Napoleon Morales told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. (We haven't seized any donation from abroad. As a matter of fact, I have already ordered the outright release of these donations because they are badly needed by a lot of storm victims.) President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has already ordered the BOC not to impose duties on relief goods for Ondoy victims that are coming from foreign donors. Reports that the bureau is seizing foreign donations have been circulating in the Internet. Morales appealed to the public not to believe reports that are aimed at tainting the bureau's reputation. "Hindi ko po papayagan na ma-seize ang mga donasyon from abroad. Meron din po akong mga kamag-anak na naapektuhan ng bagyong ito," he said. (I would not let these donations from abroad be seized. I myself have relatives who were affected by this storm.) Morales said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) could attest to the fact that no foreign donation is being withheld by the BOC. The DSWD is the government agency in charge of distributing relief goods to the more than two million people affected by Ondoy. "Lahat talaga dumadaan sa DSWD para ma-account lahat ng donations. This is also to see to it na makakarating ang mga donasyon sa lahat ng nangangailangan," Morales said. (All donations pass through DSWD so that we can account for everything. This is also to see to it that donations go to those who need them.) Morales said he was also overwhelmed by the large number of international donations - among them rubber boats to medicines - that have reached his bureau. - GMANews.TV