MANILA—Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said he will recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the distribution of frozen mackerel recently seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the ports of Manila and Subic.

Laboratory tests conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed that the smuggled fish are safe for human consumption, having passed screening for histamine and microbiological contaminants.

Secretary Tiu Laurel said he will formally request the BOC to transfer custody of the frozen mackerel to the Department of Agriculture (DA), which will then coordinate with agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Office of the President for distribution.

“When President Marcos led the distribution of tons of frozen fish last December, thousands of vulnerable Filipinos received an unexpected gift,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel. “But today, the need is far more urgent. Millions have been displaced, and communities are still reeling from the devastation caused by widespread flooding. This may be a small gesture, but it could bring meaningful relief to countless struggling Filipinos.”

A total of seven container vans—two from Manila’s North Harbor and five from the Subic Freeport—were confiscated after being flagged by the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Office and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). Each van contained around 30 metric tons of frozen mackerel, amounting to a total of 210 metric tons—enough to supply one kilo of fish to 210,000 households.

Secretary Tiu Laurel said additional container vans suspected of carrying fish remain uninspected and will be subjected to testing.

Aside from the mackerel, the confiscated shipments also contained onions. While tests showed no traces of bacteria, heavy metals, or pesticide contamination, the BPI recommended their disposal due to visible signs of decay.