SINAG hails passage of anti-smuggling law
ROSALES–The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) hailed the signing into law of Republic Act 10845 (An Act declaring smuggling of agricultural commodities as economic sabotage).
Rosendo So, SINAG chairman, said the agriculture industry has long lobbied for the passage of RA10845 because it serves as an effective deterrent to smuggling of agricultural commodities products that have greatly impacted on the livelihoods of millions of agricultural producers, especially in the last six years.
“Now, smugglers and their cohorts at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) will think twice given the harsher penalties and non-bailable provisions of the law on suspected smugglers,” So said in a statement.
Under the law, it is considered economic sabotage if the smuggled agricultural product is equal or more than P10 million for rice, and equal or more than P1 million for other agricultural products such as sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, fish and cruciferous vegetables.
A penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of twice the fair value of the smuggled agricultural product and the aggregate amount of the taxes, duties and other charges avoided is now provided.
SINAG acknowledged the support of Senator Cynthia Villar, Senator JV Ejercito and ABONO Partylist Congressman Conrad Estrella for its advocacy fighting smuggling over the last three years.
In the last five years, SINAG said that close to P200 billion worth of agricultural goods were smuggled into the country.
The SINAG report showed that rice, with a market value of P94 billion, is the single biggest agricultural commodity being smuggled into the country. This was followed by pork at P40 billion, then sugar at close to P25 billion. Other commodities monitored by SINAG include chicken, garlic, onion and carrots.
According to the group, a market value of P200 billion translates to around P60 billion to P80 billion in lost revenues for the government since these agricultural commodities are protected and levied a higher tariff of 30 to 40 per cent.
Smuggling, according to SINAG, also exposes the country to unsafe and high risk agriculture and food products as smuggled goods do not pass quarantine and food safety inspection. (Tita Roces)
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