MANILA — The days of smugglers and hoarders of agricultural products are “numbered,” President Marcos warned yesterday, as he vowed to make sure cases are filed against those involved in unlawful activities that raise prices of farm goods.
In his second State of the Nation Address, Marcos noted that smuggling and hoarding are causing much harm to farmers and consumers.
“One of the reasons behind the higher prices is that smugglers and hoarders manipulate the prices of agricultural products. We will run after them and we will file charges against them,” the President, who is also the agriculture secretary, said.
“We will not let these practices continue. The days of the smugglers and hoarders are numbered,” he added in Filipino.
Earlier this month, Marcos directed the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the smuggling, hoarding and price fixing of onions and other farm goods.
His order stemmed from a congressional inquiry into onion smuggling. Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo earlier told the President that there was “substantial evidence” pointing to the existence of a cartel.
In a recent media interview, Marcos said “many” syndicates are into hoarding and manipulation of the prices of agricultural products. He said he did not set a deadline for the probe but is expecting investigators to produce a comprehensive report.
The investigation covers possible violations of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura executive director Jayson Cainglet meanwhile lauded the inclusion of the amendment to the Anti-Smuggling Agriculture Act as priority legislation of the Marcos administration.
“It is not the local producers who are causing the spike in the retail prices of agriculture products, contrary to the claims of economic managers,” Cainglet said.
“Charges should be filed against smugglers and hoarders who are behind the spike in the retail prices of farm products. A decision of the court should be issued this year sentencing those involved to serve as warning,” he added. (philstar)
