Time to lock-up agricultural smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, and cartel operators!  

Agricultural smuggling has long plagued the Philippines, depriving legitimate farmers and fishermen of their hard-earned livelihoods. The actions of a few insatiable and insensitively greedy traders have not only undermined the nation’s food security but also pushed countless Filipino families deeper into poverty through their price manipulations and cartelization of public marketplaces. Despite the dire consequences faced by ordinary citizens, the perpetrators managed to operate with impunity, largely untouched by previous administrations and immune even to the killing threats proclaimed during the past regime.

The cost of this unchecked illegal trade is staggering. According to the Department of Finance, an estimated P15 billion has been lost to tax leakage over the last nine years due to rampant agricultural smuggling. The situation remains grim: since January of this year alone, the Department of Agriculture has reported the seizure of over P2 billion worth of smuggled agricultural and fishery products, undertaken by combined operatives from various regulatory agencies. Rice, our staple food, tops the list of smuggled goods—followed closely by meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits. In a bold move, the Department has already blacklisted ten companies for importing food products without the necessary clearance; two were found unlicensed while three faced sanctions related to price manipulation and collusion.

However, hope is on the horizon with the recent enactment of Republic Act 12022, known as the “Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law.” This landmark legislation signals a decisive shift in our nation’s approach to combating agricultural smuggling. For the first time, severe penalties—including lifetime imprisonment and fines that can reach up to five times the value of the smuggled goods—are being levied against those who dare exploit our farmers and fisheries. This law should not only be celebrated but also fervently enforced.

The implications of RA 12022 are monumental. By classifying smuggling, profiteering, hoarding, and cartel operations involving agricultural and fishery products as non-bailable offenses, we draw a clear line in the sand. We signal zero tolerance for anyone willing to engage in activities that exploit our farmers, manipulate market prices, and threaten our national food supply. The establishment of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council and Enforcement Group reflects a strong commitment to much-needed oversight in this vital sector. It is imperative that these bodies operate effectively to unearth the masterminds and accomplices behind these despicable acts, dismantling smuggling networks at every level without fear or favor. And if possible, please include in the next amendment the immediate seizure of their personal assets (cash and properties)  especially those derived from their illegal activities.

Recent actions taken under this new law offer promising examples of just how effective this initiative can be. President Marcos’ distribution of approximately P178.5 million worth of confiscated mackerel, round scads, and bonito from China demonstrates that we can turn the tide against economic sabotage. Rather than being thrown away or sold off in government auctions—paving the way for smugglers to reclaim ownership—580,000 kilos of unauthorized imports failing to meet sanitary standards were repurposed for good. Families in evacuation centers, hospitals, care facilities, and prisons benefitted from this initiative, highlighting our responsibility to protect local agriculture and support vulnerable communities against the scourge of economic sabotage.

Moreover, last year, the timely intervention of the President in distributing 42,180 smuggled sacks of rice valued at P42 million seized from the port of Zamboanga showcased a proactive stance against agricultural crime and hunger. Instead of allowing these goods to rot away at ports, the government took decisive action to redistribute seized food, alleviating the burdens faced by impoverished families grappling with food insecurity. I vividly remember the late former Nueva Ecija congressman Rene Diaz, a noted tax expert, excitedly sharing that he had recommended this distribution strategy of seized smuggled goods to President Marcos, emphasizing they now rightfully belong to the government after being abandoned by their smugglers.

Yet, amidst these advancements, a pressing question lingers: Will the implementation of RA 12022 live up to its monumental potential? It’s imperative that momentum is maintained—beyond mere policy enactment—to ensure rigorous execution. Our agricultural sector deserves champions, not traitors. Those who choose to engage in smuggling and undermine our domestic producers must face the full weight of the law. The time for leniency is over; our future hinges on safeguarding our agricultural integrity with unwavering seriousness.

It is high time we come together in vigilance. Each one of us bears the significant responsibility to protect our farmers, our fisheries, and ultimately, our nation’s food supply. As citizens, we must engage actively, supporting authority efforts in enforcing this pivotal law and make our food prices more stable and yet affordable. The fight against agricultural smuggling cannot solely rest on governmental shoulders; it is a collective moral obligation that falls on all of us.

Let unity and resolve guide us as we take a stand against agricultural smugglers. Now is the time for us to see these perpetrators jailed and their illegal and nefarious pricing strategies ended. The future of our farmers, the consuming public, and our entire nation depends on it. We can no longer afford to allow those who profit from illegalities to hold our food system hostage. Let us commit ourselves to this cause with urgency and tenacity, ensuring that every Filipino can access safe, affordable, and locally-sourced food—a right we cannot take for granted any longer.