MANILA, Philippines — Over 21,000 residents of the Baseco Compound in the Port Area received confiscated mackerel, distributed by the national government as a Christmas gift.

The distributed goods originated from smuggled shipments from China that were seized last September.

President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. oversaw the distribution of confiscated mackerel to residents of the Baseco Port Area in Manila over the weekend.

“Naiba po ang pamasko namin. Imbes na hamon at saka mga lechon, isda, tulingan ang aming dala. Para naman hindi masayang,” President Marcos said during the distribution at the Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Elementary School Gym.

Each household received two kilos of mackerel, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

The frozen mackerel will be distributed to the “poorest barangays” in 17 local government units across Metro Manila, as well as Obando and Meycauayan in Bulacan, and Bacoor in Cavite. 

Select city jails, public hospitals, and care facilities will receive portions of the confiscated goods. An estimated 150,000 families are expected to benefit from the donation, the bureau said. 

On Sept. 28 and 29, 21 containers of frozen mackerel shipments from China, valued at approximately P178.5 million, were seized at the Manila International Container Port.  

Authorities are investigating the consignee of the shipment for potential violations of DA Memorandum Order No. 14, s. 2024, which suspends the issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances for round scad, mackerel, and bonito.  

In November, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources confirmed that the frozen mackerel is safe for human consumption. Following the recommendation of the Bureau of Customs, the Department of Finance approved the donation to the Department of Agriculture in early December. 

The DA then transferred the goods to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through a Deed of Donation and Acceptance (DODA) for distribution.