Two 40 feet (40') container vans of garlic and red onions which were declared abandoned in favor of the government, pursuant to Section 2610 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, are in the custody of the Bureau of Customs.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) requests donation/turn-over of said produce in order to serve DSWD's growing number of clients in its various centers and institutions, thus, help DSWD minimize depletion of its food budget and further, that it be exempted from existing policy of the Bureau of Plant Industry whereby such confiscated produce are either being condemned or returned to its country of origin.

The Department of Finance (DOF) interposes no objection to the proposed disposition of said produce by way of donation in favor of DSWD, subject to compliance with the usual accounting and auditing requirements and pertinent customs laws, rules and regulations.

In this regard, DOF is hereby authorized to turn-over to DSWD the above-said two (2) container vans of garlic and red onions provided that the Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture (BPI-DA) certifies that these are still fit for human consumption and provided further that pertinent government rules and regulations are complied with.

Adopted: 02 June 2005

By Authority of the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary