By Betheena Unite Despite the objection of meat traders, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) maintained its position to collect the 35-percent duty on imported mechanically deboned meat. Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Phillip Maronilla of the Post Clearance Audit Group reiterated that the bureau’s position to collect the 35 percent tariff difference was legal. Nevertheless, Maronilla said the bureau remained open to dialogue with the concerned stakeholders in order for it to be able to come up with a solution that will allow them to implement the law correctly and to accommodate some of their concerns. The statement of the bureau came after the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) warned that many of their members could go bankrupt if the BOC pursues the collection of the 35 percent tariff difference. “Pursuant to Sec. 430 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the assessment on the said imported goods are not yet final and therefore are still subject to the proper collection of the rightful duties and taxes on the imported goods,” the bureau said in a statement. “And it is a bigger neglect on the part of BOC not to collect the legally prescribed duties in behalf of the government,” it added. Meat traders said the directive was unfair as it will cause small businesses to go bankrupt while the larger companies can pass it on the consumers.