DA chief rejects auction option for seized Vietnam rice, recommends donation to DSWD

Author: DA Press Office | 16 October 2026

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday opposed auctioning off seized Vietnamese rice, saying the shipment should instead be donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to prevent those behind its entry into the country from profiting.

In an interview with Ted Failon, Tiu Laurel questioned the proposal to auction the rice, which was seized after authorities flagged irregularities in its importation.

"I am not in favor of auctioning this," said Tiu Laurel, expressing concern the rice could just land in the hands of those who wanted to profit from the 5 percent broken DT8 rice-a highly salable variety from Vietnam.

He said the government could either destroy the rice, although this would mean wasting food, or turn it over to the DSWD for distribution to beneficiaries.

Tiu Laurel also rejected a suggestion to place the shipment under the National Food Authority (NFA), saying the rice should not be handled by the Department of Agriculture (DA) or its attached agencies.

"Better not give it to us. Otherwise, people might think we are in cahoots with whoever tried to bring this rice even after the import permit's cancellation," said Tiu Laurel.

The rice, carried by the vessel MV Tay Son 2, was covered by an import permit for 12,480 metric tons. The DA ordered the cancellation of the shipment's sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance after receiving derogatory information about the cargo.

The vessel arrived at the Port of Davao on Sept. 14, but its captain refused to submit the rice for inspection by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). Three days later, the vessel left Davao while the Bureau of Customs (BOC) was determining the shipment's disposition.

The Philippine Navy intercepted the vessel off Sarangani and brought it to the Port of General Santos City. It was later ordered back to Davao, where authorities continued processing the case.

The BPI recommended returning the rice to its country of origin, while the BOC was left to determine the shipment's final disposition under applicable rules.

Agricultural products imported without valid permits may be seized and destroyed, returned to their country of origin, or shipped to a third country.

The BOC also considered auctioning the cargo to prevent the rice from deteriorating while in custody.

Tiu Laurel, however, warned that auctioning the shipment could allow questionable beneficiaries to profit. He favored transferring it to the DSWD, which could distribute the rice to needy families like what had been done to confiscated fish after being rigorously tested for safety. ### (By DA - OSEC Comms)