Agri smuggling
IF the country’s farmers, who comprise the bulk of the population, continue to wallow in “grinding poverty,” blame it partly on smugglers of agricultural products.
This, despite the fact that government authorities, spearheaded by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), have intensified the nationwide campaign against smuggling.
And note that Republic Act (RA) No. 10845, which took effect in 2016, declares large-scale smuggling of agricultural products as “economic sabotage,” which is a serious crime.
In signing the law, the late President Benigno Aquino said the illegal importation of agricultural products “significantly impacts” production, stock availability and stability of prices.
Records show that in the first half of 2021 alone, concerned government authorities seized a total of P221.81 million worth of smuggled agricultural products, like vegetables.
In 2019 and 2020, smuggled agricultural products totaled P398.47 million and P284.62 million, respectively.
Perish the thought of ever seeing the end of the illegal entry of agricultural products and other goods into the country if corrupt public servants remain in the government.
Yes, there’s really an urgent need to rid the bureaucracy of unscrupouous elective and appointive government officials who use their positions to enrich themselves.
We agree with well-meaning Filipinos that the drive against smuggling of agricultural products should be pursued by the incoming administration if we are to encourage Filipinos to go back to farming.
Kung hindi ay baka wala ng gustong magtrabaho sa bukid dahil bumabaha naman ng mga puslit na produktong agrikultura, kagaya ng mga gulay, ang lokal na merkado.
