Lee calls for ‘greater’ collaboration vs agri smuggling
A LAWMAKER on Friday called for “greater” collaboration between the government and agriculture stakeholders in battling agricultural smuggling.
This was after various private sector stakeholders offered to help the government stop the “chronic” smuggling of agricultural products, which has affected local production and contributed to the high prices of food.
“Nariyan na po ang ating agri-stakeholders na nag-aalok ng tulong. I hope the government accepts this offer, as we need all the help we can get to comprehensively address agri-smuggling in our country,” AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert T. Lee said.
The lawmaker emphasized that the involvement of stakeholders that face the issue of smuggling and are most affected by its effects “should be given a seat at the table.”
These stakeholders have key insights that policy-makers and implementers might miss out on, Lee added.
“Dahil nasa ground sila, alam nila ang pasikot-sikot, alam nila ang epekto ng smuggling. Kumbaga, ang mga stakeholder natin ay maaaring magsilbing guide sa nakakalito at mapanlinlang na terrain. They can ensure that government’s actions are truly targeted and thus, efficient and effective,” Lee said.
Lee also lauded the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), which has been working with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) counter-intelligence team in various operations in entry ports such as Manila and Subic.
He said that such collaboration is the way forward, and he expressed hope that more private stakeholders would join in anti-smuggling efforts.
“Hopefully, we can expect their help not only in enforcement, but in every aspect of our fight against agri-smuggling, including the creation of stronger laws and policies that would effectively address this long-standing problem,” said Lee.
The lawmaker also urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. to institutionalize the inspectorate and enforcement division of the DA, which is currently headed by Assistant Sec. James Layug.
“Pondohan natin ang opisinang ito, lagyan natin ng tao para magkangipin sila, at para hindi lang ad hoc, at makalikha sila ng medium to long-term, comprehensive strategy,” he said.
“We need to urgently address agri-smuggling dahil malaking bahagi ito ng isa sa pinakamalaking isyu na kinakaharap ng sambayanan, ang food insecurity. Sa lalong madaling panahon, kailangang matalo natin ang mga agri-smuggler at mapakulong sila para maging Winner tayong lahat,” Lee added.
