Imee cited that smuggled gadgets like cellphones, tablets, and laptops are likely to increase as the demand becomes high because of virtual classes.
She further cited the BOC report that shows the data of confiscated gadgets.
Marcos said that about 29.5 tons of gadgets were confiscated in August and another P100 million worth of gadgets from Hong Kong in July 2019.
"The BOC generously donated almost 800 smuggled vehicles to the police, military, and other government agencies last July. Why can’t it solve the worries of thousands of poor students by donating confiscated electronic gadgets?" she said.
"A single cellphone or laptop would be a huge boon to a mother struggling to buy food, pay electric bills, and now access online," she added.
Instead of disposing of auctioning smuggled items, these gadgets can be donated by the government if unclaimed by their importers 15 days after receipt of notice of pending forfeiture, Marcos said.
The DepEd earlier encouraged donations to provide gadgets to students as a substitute for the traditional school supplies.
Source: Help Line PH
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