September 30, 2024

 

New Philippine law signed by president targets agriculture smuggling, hoarding

 

 

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on September 26 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 Malacañang Palace, Marcos signed Republic Act 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 Republic Act No. 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, replacing it with more comprehensive mechanisms to ensure stricter enforcement and better implementation.

 

"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 said the Philippines' loss over ₱3 billion (US$54 million) to agricultural smuggling in 2023 alone and in less than nine months this year, over ₱230 million (US$4.1 million) worth of smuggled agricultural products were seized.

 

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed the enactment of the new law, which gives more teeth to the agency in running after smugglers.

 

Crimes classified as economic sabotage include agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartel, and financing. Acts supporting economic sabotage including transport and storage are also punishable under the law.

 

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 jeopardise our food supply."

 

"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 the legislation would address the longstanding issues that have crippled the agricultural sector, as it ensures that those who engage in exploitative practices will face the "full weight" of the law.

 

- PNA