Airport and Customs officials are enforcing tighter security at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in anticipation of the influx of canned goods, and pork and chicken meat products as the holiday season draws near.
These food items are the usual pasalubong by returning Filipinos and other travelers going to Manila.
Last week, Customs Port of NAIA agents intercepted a Vietnamese traveler carrying luggage with processed chicken. The foreigner, who arrived at the airport on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 752 from Vietnam, brought 16 kilos of chicken without sanitary and import permits.
The Bureau of Customs turned over the processed meat to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for proper disposition while the Veterinary Quarantine Services office issued a Notice of Violation against the importer.
Port of NAIA District Collector Carmelita Talusan said all meat and meat products must have the necessary permits and clearances from the BAI before their importation.
She said her port will be more stringent in protecting the nation’s borders with the issuance of Customs Memorandum Circular 110-2022 that lists the agricultural products banned by the Department of Agriculture.
From January to July 2022, the port confiscated 1,176.2 kilos of meat products from passengers coming from abroad.
BAI inspectors and the BoC are on high alert on agricultural and livestock imports to keep the country free from avian flu virus.
The move came as the DA imposed a temporary ban on poultry and related products because of bird flu concerns.
Collector Talusan also reminded arriving travelers not to bring in canned goods or any meat products, especially those coming from countries affected by the highly contagious African Swine Fever.