To clarify the role of Customs officials and personnel in the turn-over/donations of forfeited/abandoned articles, please be reminded of the following rules:

1. Forfeited used clothings under Presidential Memorandum Order No. 23, and such other donations pursuant to Sec. 2610 of the TCCP, may be directly donated/turned over only to a DSWD unit/office specifically authorized to receive such donations; to be received, in the presence of a COA representative, by a DSWD representative duly designated for the purpose by the DSWD Secretary.

2. Such transfer/donation to DSWD shall be subject to clearance by the Commissioner of Customs, as per existing regulations.

3. It is the prerogative of the DSWD to determine/identify/select in accordance with its regulations the beneficiaries of said donations. Therefore, when turning over the donated articles, District/Port Collectors are prohibited to make reservations/set conditions as to who shall be the beneficiaries of donations.

4. Any request for donation presented to the BOC/any of its units shall be referred to the DSWD for appropriate action.

This reminder is issued to ensure the smooth turnover of subject donations to DSWD.

Please be guided accordingly.

Adopted: 30 January 2003

(SGD.) ANTONIO M. BERNARDO
Commissioner