Smuggling and importation of agricultural products
The Department of Agriculture has been criticized for the continuous smuggling and importation of agricultural and fishery products which are easily produced in abundance in our country.
Since 2007, vegetables, fruits, rice, corn, sugar, meat, and fish have been entering our ports and flooding the markets causing a dip in farm gate prices at the detriment of the livelihood of millions of farmers and fisherfolk and discouraged people to engage in agricultural and fishery enterprises.
What happened to the anti-smuggling task force created in May 2021, co-chaired by DA and the Department of Trade and Industry meant to arrest rampant illegal entry of agricultural and fisheries contraband in the Philippines?
Let the task force fully function and at the same time for us to save the remaining farm lands from conversion and protect our seas against intruders to be able to be self-reliant in food. — PERCIVAL B. ALIPIT, Baguio City