IT’S ALMOST harvest season for some farmers of onions. It’s good to know that despite the destruction made by the storms we experienced last year these farmers were able to replant and harvest.
As the new year starts, a new challenge has taken a toll on the onion industry. Just these past few days, the news was circulating about smuggled onions which are sold way cheaper than the ones in the local markets.
We are in a volatile condition right now. Something should be done to address this. Smuggled things, including onions, should have been intercepted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the port of entry.
The BOC implements a revenue collection by preventing and suppressing smuggling and the entry of prohibited imported goods. It supervises and controls the entrance and clearance of vessels and aircrafts engaged in foreign commerce.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 identifies large-scale agricultural smuggling of raw or preserved sugar, corn, pork, poultry, onions, garlic, carrots, fish, and cruciferous vegetables like arugula, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, among others.
It involves products with a minimum Fair Market Value of P1 million or a minimum Fair Market Value of P10 million in the case of rice. Illegally imported agricultural products will go to the government.
The law specifies the coverage of large-scale agricultural smuggling:
1) importing goods to the Philippines without permit;
2) unauthorized use of import permits;
3) use of fake permits or falsified documents;
4) allowing, leasing or selling use of permits;
5) use of dummy corporations in acquiring permits;
6) tax evasion;
7) transporting or storing the agricultural product tantamount to economic sabotage; and
8) being a broker of a violator
Economic sabotage refers to “any act or activity which undermines, weakens or renders into disrepute the economic system or viability of the country.” These “include, among others, price manipulation to the prejudice of the public especially in the sale of basic necessities and prime commodities.”
Heavier penalties will be imposed on those who will violate the law. Convicted smugglers will face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment plus a fine of twice the value of the smuggled items and their tax dues.
On the other hand, local operators will be penalized with permanent disqualification from importing, while foreigners will be deported.
Public officials will also be criminally liable if they violate the law and will face dismissal from service.
The policy of the State is to promote the productivity of the agriculture sector and to protect farmers from unscrupulous traders and importers, who by their illegal importation of agricultural products, especially rice, significantly affect the production, availability of supply, and stability of prices, and the food security of the State.
It is time to impose higher sanctions for large-scale smuggling of agricultural products. Stiffer rules and regulations should be implemented in the port of entry to avoid this kind of situation. This way, the government can protect the livelihood of our farmers as well as our country’s economic well-being./PN
