DA Calls for Expanded Role in Anti-Smuggling Efforts
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act to grant it direct enforcement powers,arguing its exclusion from the core enforcement group hinders efforts to combat agricultural smuggling. DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa stated the agency’s current position limits its effectiveness in tackling the issue.
The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement group – comprised of the National Bureau of Examination, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Finance – was established under Republic Act 12022. While the DA is a member of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, it is indeed not part of the enforcement team.
The DA is requesting a repeal of Section 18 of RA 12022 to allow its inclusion in the enforcement group.de Mesa explained that the DA’s regulatory bureaus – including those for Plant and Animal Industry, and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – possess crucial data on agricultural commodity imports, making them a valuable asset to the team.
“The DA would be an asset to the group,since the agency’s regulatory bureaus…have the data on agricultural commodities entering the ports,” de Mesa said.
The DA also advocates for a review of the current P10 million threshold for offenses to be considered economic sabotage, arguing it is too high for typical smuggled goods.De Mesa noted that the high threshold necessitates a large volume of smuggled, frequently enough inexpensive, goods before an investigation can be launched, allowing the goods to impact market prices and inventories in the meantime. He called for a thorough review considering the varying values of different agricultural commodities.
Since January 2024, the DA has intercepted approximately P3.78 billion worth of smuggled goods in 182 operations, including vegetables like onions and carrots, and also fish and rice. The agency believes direct enforcement capabilities would enable it to monitor all ports and further bolster its anti-smuggling efforts. The proliferation of these smuggled goods, the DA says, negatively impacts the livelihoods of local farmers and fishers.
