Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said he will ask the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to turn over two container vans of smuggled frozen mackerel intercepted at the Port of Manila, following laboratory results that confirmed the fish are safe for human consumption.
Results of laboratory tests conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an agency of the DA, found that all samples from the seized mackerel passed microbiological safety standards set by Philippine and international food regulations.
BFAR said the presence of escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus, salmonella, and aerobic plate counts were all within acceptable limits. “Hence, the samples, as received, are safe for consumption based on the parameters tested,” the agency said.
The containers held at the Port of Manila contain an estimated 50 metric tons of frozen mackerel, worth between P13 million and P20 million—enough to provide 1 kilo of fish to 50,000 families.
The shipment was among six containers flagged by the Inspectorate and Enforcement Service (IES) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). Three other containers carried 74 metric tons of red onions while the other van was loaded with yellow onions.
BPI is still awaiting test results to determine if the seized onions contain unsafe levels of bacteria, heavy metals, or pesticides. Meanwhile, more tests are ongoing for container vans of frozen mackerel, onions, and carrots intercepted at the Port of Subic.
Secretary Tiu Laurel noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has consistently underscored the need to protect public health and curb smuggling. “We remain committed to safeguarding our food supply, protecting our farmers and fisherfolk, and ensuring public health,” he said. “Rather than let safe food go to waste, we will put it on Filipino tables—just as this administration has done before.”
Last December, President Marcos led the donation of 21 containers of smuggled frozen mackerel worth P178.5 million, which entered the country without sanitary and phytosanitary permits.
