PAL probes attendants over agri ‘pasalubong’

Villaluna said PAL is not condoning any violation of customs regulations and that the appropriate disciplinary sanctions shall be meted out.

Philippine Airlines is investigating reports that some of its flight attendants had brought home undeclared vegetables and fruits in their handcarried bags from Riyadh and Dubai last 10 January.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna confirmed on Saturday that the management of the flag carrier is now looking into the incidents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Villaluna said PAL is not condoning any violation of customs regulations and that the appropriate disciplinary sanctions shall be meted out to employees if they are found during the investigation to have erred.

She added the airline is in touch with the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Plant Industry over the matter.

PAL has ordered its personnel to strictly adhere to customs and quarantine regulations at all times, including the restrictions on the entry of agricultural and similar products into the country, Villaluna said.

Customs examiners last Tuesday found 24 kilos of fresh onions and 11.5 kilos of lemons and strawberries allegedly brought by the 10 PAL crew members on board PR 655 and PR 659 from Riyadh and Dubai, respectively.

The vegetables and fruits did not have import, sanitary and phytosanitary certificates required by law to, among other reasons, stop the entry of agricultural pests into the country.

Customs examiners called the attention of plant quarantine officers Celeste Barrios and Darren Ebuen to check on the produce the attendants brought into NAIA 1.

Some of the flight attendants allegedly made a scene at the NAIA when they were informed they were not allowed to take home the prohibited items.

Other incidents of farm produce being brought in by Filipinos traveling from abroad were also recorded, apparently because of their high prices locally.

Onions used to sell at P170 per kilo at Kadiwa stores but are now priced three to four times as expensive.

PHOTOGRAPH BY YUMMIE DINGDING FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_yumi Wishing and hopping A maker of dragon and lion dance props in Binondo, Manila creates a bunny head to be used in Chinese New Year celebrations as 2023 has been deemed the Year of the Rabbit.