DA seizes P2.8B worth of smuggled agri products in ’24
The Department of Agriculture (DA) seized roughly P2.8 billion worth of smuggled agricultural goods in 2024, almost a billion more than the 2023 level, as the government intensified efforts to crack down on smuggling that deprives the state of revenues and exposes the public to potential health risks.
In a statement on Friday, the DA said the haul in 2024 was 51.3 percent higher than the P1.87 billion worth of confiscated agri-fishery products in 2023.
Undervalued imported rice worth P1.9 billion accounted for almost two-thirds of last year’s seizure.
Aside from rice, the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement (DAIE) also confiscated smuggled fisheries products worth P316.4 million.
It carried out a total of 71 operations in 2024.
Of these, 11 inspections conducted between Jan. 19 and June 5 led to the discovery of over 1,000 metric tons (MT) of undervalued imported rice.
According to the agency, several shipments of imported rice totaling 32,825 MT reached the country during the first five months of 2024, leading to a tax assessment requiring the payment of P285.3 million in taxes and tariffs.
White onions
Other notable operations include the seizure of P115 million worth of white onions and P8.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Subic as well as the seizure of contraband Chinese frozen food and black chicken worth P102.2 million in Santa Maria, Bulacan.
Another P178.5 million worth of frozen mackerel was confiscated during inspections at the Port of Manila.
These were eventually donated to victims of Typhoon “Kristine” after laboratory tests confirmed that they were safe for human consumption.
“Last year’s operations exposed regulatory loopholes we need to address and procedures that must be streamlined to stamp out smuggling of agricultural products,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.
Tiu Laurel said the enactment of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act provides the DA with additional tools to combat smuggling, which has undermined the livelihood of farmers and fishers.
Smuggled goods, however, continue to enter the country.
As of February this year, the DA said local authorities seized P162.7 million worth of illegal agri-fishery products from various entry points, including Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila International Container Port and Subic Bay International Terminal.
Inspections of cold storage facilities in Caloocan, Navotas and Bulacan likewise yielded expired agricultural products and unlabeled boxes.
About P6.45 million of meat was confiscated for disposal plus P152,000 worth of frozen fish in Batangas City.
