New law targets smuggling to protect agriculture

The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are gearing up to fully enforce the newly enacted Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, designed to combat smuggling, cartels, profiteering, and hoarding of agricultural products.

The legislation aims to strengthen food security and stabilize agricultural prices in the Philippines.

Signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sept. 26, 2024, Republic Act No. 12022 expands the scope of illegal activities classified as economic sabotage, adding livestock, aquatic products, and tobacco to the agricultural products protected under the law.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said the law sends a strong message to those engaging in illegal practices that harm both farmers and consumers.

“The new law gives more teeth to the government to relentlessly run after smugglers whose illegal activities undermine our farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers,” Recto said.

“Through a stronger and stricter crackdown on these offenders, we protect our people’s access to affordable goods and boost our revenue collections, which will allow the government to provide more essential public services to Filipinos.”

Under the new legislation, offenders face life imprisonment and fines five times the value of the smuggled agricultural and fishery products.

The law empowers the BOC to take swift action against corporations and entities involved in economic sabotage through the issuance of a Letter of Authority.

BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio affirmed the agency’s commitment to implementing the law, saying it not only penalizes violators but also serves as a deterrent.

“This Act will not only help the BOC penalize those who violate the law but will also act as a clear deterrent to future offenders,” Rubio said. “We are committed to holding economic saboteurs fully accountable for their actions.”

The BOC has been actively pursuing agricultural smugglers, conducting 1,803 successful seizures from January 2023 to August 2024, with an estimated value of PHP 3.7 billion.

The agency has enhanced intelligence coordination and incorporated technology to improve border control, alongside stricter enforcement measures.