Question & AnswerQ&A (BOC MEMORANDUM)
The memorandum serves as a reminder about the rules governing the turnover or donation by the Bureau of Customs of forfeited or abandoned articles, particularly used clothing and other donations.
Used clothing and other donations shall be turned over only directly to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The memorandum cites Presidential Memorandum No. 23 and Section 1610 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) as the basis for the rules governing turnover/donation of used clothing and other donations.
No, the memorandum clearly states that no donations may be turned over or released to beneficiaries other than the DSWD.
Authority to sign DSWD transactions with the Bureau of Customs is limited to the DSWD Secretary and the Undersecretary or Head of the Operations and Capacity Building Group (OCBG).
The reminder was issued following reports of violations of the existing rules governing the turnover of used clothing and donations.
Section 1610 of the TCCP provides the legal basis for the procedure and authority by which the Bureau of Customs turns over forfeited or abandoned articles, including used clothing, to the DSWD subject to clearance.
The memorandum highlights the security measure adopted by the DSWD, which limits the authority to sign transactions with the Bureau of Customs to only two high-ranking officials: the DSWD Secretary and the Undersecretary/Head of Operations and Capacity Building Group.
The Commissioner of Customs must provide clearance before used clothing and other donations can be turned over directly to the DSWD.
Compliance is important to prevent violations related to the improper turnover or release of donations and to ensure transparency and proper handling of forfeited or abandoned articles by the Bureau of Customs and the DSWD.