NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — The House Ways and Means Committee plans to propose revisions to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act to help the government combat agricultural smuggling and protect local farmers’ livelihoods.

Rep. Joey Salceda of Albay said the House panel has been working with the agencies to amend administrative issuances and regulations, as well as putting the required legislative pressure on the agencies to reinforce current anti-smuggling measures.

In a message to reporters on Tuesday, Salceda stated, “I will form a Technical Working Group on possible proposals that we might give over to the next government, particularly on modifications to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.”

He also stated that the committee would produce a joint memorandum circular between the agencies to bolster anti-smuggling actions.

He stated that they would have another House hearing with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Department of Agriculture, and other relevant agencies to keep up with advancements in order to “tighten the noose” around agricultural traffickers.

Salceda emphasized the committee’s collaboration with various government departments to refute claims made in recent Senate hearings that the House has not yet taken action on agricultural smuggling.

The BOC formed a joint task force with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other agencies to enhance smuggling enforcement in response to a request from the House Committee on Ways and Means in February 2021.

In March 2021, the panel held an executive session with the BOC and the DA, as well as other relevant agencies, to discuss ways to boost anti-agricultural smuggling efforts in ecozones and ports in response to biosecurity concerns posed by plant and animal product smuggling.

As a result of these conversations, the Department of Agriculture issued Memorandum Circular No. 12, which establishes comprehensive biosafety and biosecurity guidelines as well as a plan of action for enhancing biosafety systems, according to Salceda.

The House panel directed the PCG to improve border inspections and patrolling by November 2021 in order to prevent additional agricultural smuggling.

The BOC and the DA agreed during a Senate hearing on Monday that digitizing their systems would help with anti-smuggling efforts.

Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla of the Bureau of Customs stated the Bureau of Customs is currently collaborating with the World Bank on a large automation initiative called the Philippine Customs Modernization Project.

He said that BOC’s clearance mechanism has already been automated through its client portal system, allowing the public to transact with the agency online.

He added that the bureau has set up an e-track system to track cargo entering the nation using a global positioning system.

The League of Associations in the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Areas (LALTVTA) claims that smuggling of vegetables and fruits in the country is costing them a lot of money.

According to LALTVA public relations officer Agot Balonoy, their typical daily order of carrots has decreased by up to 40%, or PHP2.5 million per day, since last year.

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