By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday signed a new law to combat agricultural smuggling, profiteering, and hoarding, making food more affordable and accessible, and providing better income to local farmers.
In a ceremony at Malacañan Palace, Marcos signed Republic Act (RA) No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act before members of both houses of Congress, Cabinet members, and other agriculture stakeholders.
Under the new law, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartel, and financing of these crimes involving agricultural and fishery products are classified as acts of economic sabotage and will carry a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to five times the value of the products involved in the crime.
It is also seen to help make food more accessible and affordable for Filipinos while enhancing income opportunities for local farmers and fisherfolk.
The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, a priority measure of the Marcos administration, repeals RA No. 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, replacing it with more comprehensive mechanisms to ensure stricter enforcement and better implementation.
In his message, Marcos thanked legislators for passing the measure and warned smugglers and profiteers that justice will “swiftly and decisively” find them.
“We will confront and dismantle the powerful forces that have long exploited our system for their own gain, ensuring that justice prevails and the dignity of our agricultural sector is upheld,” Marcos said.
“No more backdoors, no more shortcuts, and certainly no more turning a blind eye in the Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.
He said the Philippines had lost over P3 billion to agricultural smuggling in 2023 alone and in less than nine months this year, over P230 million worth of smuggled agricultural products were seized.
‘Very happy’
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed the enactment of the new law, which gives more teeth to the agency in running after smugglers.
“I’m very happy na finally ma-sign na iyan because this gives us, in DA, iyong karapatan o kaya more, mas may ngipin na kami para habulin itong mga smuggler na ito,” Tiu Laurel said in an interview.
He warned smugglers and unscrupulous traders to stop their illegal acts gravely affecting farmers and fishers.
“Sana naman ngayon, matakot na iyong mga may planong gumawa ng…smuggling dahil non-bailable ito kung mahuli sila,” he said.
Acts supporting economic sabotage, including transport and storage, are also punishable under the law with penalties of at least 20 to 30 years in jail and a doubled fine of the value of the involved agricultural commodity.
“Nakasisiguro ang taumbayan na ang DA, kasama ang Bureau of Customs at mga ibang government agencies like PNP (Philippine National Police), ay hahabulin namin kayong lahat,” Tiu Laurel added.
Critical turning point
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the new law in place sends a clear message that there will be zero tolerance for “those who manipulate the market and jeopardize our food supply.”
Romualdez also lauded the Chief Executive for signing the law, calling it a significant and long-awaited move to protect the agricultural sector from the harmful practices of smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, and cartels.
“This law marks a critical turning point in our fight to defend the livelihood of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk and secure affordable food for all,” Romualdez said in a statement.
He said this piece of legislation would address the longstanding issues that have plagued the agricultural sector, as it ensures that those who engage in exploitative practices will face the “full weight” of the law.
“For far too long, the greed of a few has resulted in the suffering of many, driving up food prices and hurting the very people who work tirelessly to provide for our nation,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez particularly highlighted the creation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, a multi-agency body tasked with overseeing the enforcement of the law, that will take a unified and comprehensive approach in tackling market abuses in the agricultural sector.
“This council will be the backbone of our efforts to protect the integrity of our food supply chain by coordinating various agencies and leveraging their expertise, ensuring we can respond swiftly and decisively to any attempts to manipulate the market,” Romualdez said.
‘Major victory’ for Filipinos
Romualdez said the law is a “major victory” for Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers, and it underscores the government’s “unwavering commitment” to safeguarding the country’s food security.
“The signing of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act is a strong signal that we will no longer allow a few to profit at the expense of many. The protection of our agriculture and the welfare of the Filipino people are our top priorities,” he said.
Pinuno Party-list Rep. Howard Guintu, likewise, commended the President for his strong political will and sense of urgency in prioritizing the passage of this legislation in order to address the presence of agricultural smugglers and hoarders.
“There is really a need to eradicate the presence of agricultural smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, and cartels in our country. Ang pinakakawawa po dito ay ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda na patuloy na sumisikap para sa kanilang kabuhayan,” Guintu said.
“At siyempre, para rin [ito sa] ating mga kababayan dahil apektado ang presyo ng agricultural and fishery products kapag hindi stable ang supply nito,” he added.
Guintu noted that the new law, in contrast to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, equips law enforcement agencies with “more teeth” to crack down on agricultural smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, and cartels.
“For all their hard work in providing food on our tables, our local farmers and fisherfolks should be protected from illicit trade activities,” Guintu said.
Guintu said the government would be able to maximize potential revenues from imported agricultural and fishery products.
“This shall translate to more revenues for social programs and other government priority programs. Unfortunately, we have lost several billions of pesos due to uncollected tax and custom duties,” Guintu said.
“It is high time that we identify and hold accountable all those involved in agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel,” the lawmaker added. (With reports from Stephanie Sevillano and Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)