Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has approved the donation of 1,251.68 liters of confiscated gasoline to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), reinforcing efforts to secure the country’s maritime borders and combat fuel smuggling.
The donation, made under Section 1141 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to intensify the fight against illicit trade and bolster national security.
The fuel was forfeited by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) after violations of fuel marking regulations—part of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act designed to deter petroleum smuggling through chemical tagging of tax-paid fuel.
“This donation not only shows our commitment to bolstering our defense sector, but is a clear warning to all businesses that any illicit act will not go unpunished,” said Recto.
The move underscores the regulatory significance of fuel marking enforcement and showcases inter-agency collaboration in the government’s anti-smuggling agenda.
