PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that his administration is committed to protecting tobacco farmers, hailing the industry as an “indispensable bedrock that generates income, livelihood, opportunities and employment.”

“We must seek ways to protect the livelihood of thousands of our tobacco farmers,” Marcos said at the opening of the 1st International Tobacco Agricultural Summit at the Shangri-la The Fort in Taguig City.

National Tobacco Administration (NTA) data shows that there are more than 25,000 tobacco farmers in the country and there are 2.2 million workers including their dependents who rely on the tobacco production segment of the industry.

The Chief Executive cited the tobacco industry as a “significant source of tax revenues that are used to fund government programs.”

Marcos also said that the tobacco industry over the years has become a “vibrant catalyst for economic growth in the country” particularly in Northern Luzon and Mindanao.

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc delivered the President’s speech at the Summit, saying the forum is “a good opportunity to discuss strategies to innovate the tobacco industry in ways that safeguard the wellbeing of people and the environment.”

The President expressed hopes that the Summit would yield measures to promote responsible agricultural practices and ensure jobs for tobacco farmers.

He added that the Summit’s “future-driven discussion that would help bring tobacco farming and its allied industries into the future.”

NTA regulatory head Robert Ambros said during the summit that revenue losses due to illicit tobacco trade is expected to exceed P30 billion this year. The agency estimated that the foregone revenues this year from tobacco smuggling has reached P16 billion already.

Mindanao, Visayas and Northern Luzon were cited as “hotspots” for illicit tobacco trade, based on Philippine National Police (PNP) data.

Asked on how the agencies were addressing the issue, NTA said that they are “supporting efforts on illicit trade,” adding that the NTA has a coordinating mechanism with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

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