HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez today commended the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for its intensified campaign against smuggling, citing the agency’s seizure of ₱85.1 billion worth of contraband and the successful conduct of over 2,100 anti-smuggling operations in 2024
While Romualdez recognized these significant achievements, Romualdez reiterated the urgent need to step up enforcement efforts against agricultural smuggling, which remains a serious threat to local farmers and food security.
“Maganda ang ginagawa ng Customs sa paglaban sa smuggling, pero hindi tayo dapat huminto. Kailangang mas paigtingin ang kampanya lalo na laban sa agricultural smuggling na sumisira sa kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at nagpapahirap sa taumbayan,” Romualdez stressed.
The Speaker pointed to alarming reports of massive rice shipments left uncollected at ports and stockpiling of frozen chicken imports, fueling suspicions of deliberate supply manipulation.
He stressed that these immoral and illegal schemes hurt farmers and consumers, distorting prices and putting the nation’s food security at risk.
“Huwag nating hayaang magamit ang smuggling at hoarding bilang sandata laban sa ating ekonomiya. Dapat supilin ang mga sindikato at tiyakin na ang pagkain ay abot-kaya ng bawat Pilipino,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez called for stricter border controls, stronger inter-agency coordination, and faster prosecution of smugglers to dismantle these illegal operations. He noted that smuggling is not just an economic problem but a direct attack on farmers, consumers, and the country’s stability.
“Hindi pwedeng basta hulihin lang ang mga puslit na produkto. Kailangang wasakin ang buong sindikato ng smuggling. Hindi lang ito laban ng Customs—laban ito ng buong gobyerno para sa taumbayan,” he emphasized.
While acknowledging Customs’ gains in intercepting illegal shipments, Romualdez urged authorities to address systemic weaknesses that allow smuggled goods to enter the country.
Among others, he pushed for advanced monitoring technology, stricter tracking of agricultural imports, and swift action against enablers of smuggling, whether in the private or public sector.
Beyond enforcement, Romualdez stressed the need for government safeguards against price manipulation, ensuring fair market conditions for farmers and consumers alike. He reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ commitment to supporting legislative measures that would strengthen Customs’ enforcement capabilities and stabilize food prices.
“Ang laban sa smuggling ay hindi lang tungkol sa pagsamsam ng puslit na produkto. Ito ay tungkol sa pagprotekta sa kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Kailangang ipakita ng gobyerno na seryoso tayo sa pagsupil sa mga nagsasamantala,” he said.
Romualdez expressed confidence that sustained vigilance and decisive action will help curb agricultural smuggling, ensure Filipino farmers thrive, and protect consumers from unfair trade practices.
