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Ghio Ong - The Philippine Star
February 13, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Smuggling is a national security concern that undermines government revenues and threatens local industries, public safety and food security, according to the Bureau of Customs.
“The BOC will (intensify) our crackdown on illicit trade to protect local industries, ensure food security and promote a level playing field for businesses,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said yesterday.
“By leveraging intelligence, enforcement and inter-agency collaboration, the BOC remains steadfast in its mission to secure our borders and uphold economic stability,” he noted.
The agency said it will sustain its fuel marking program, which ensured that nearly 20 billion liters of fuel – a five percent increase from the previous year – were marked.
Fuel marking has generated over P242 billion in tax revenue while curbing fuel smuggling that distorts fair market competition, the BOC said.
About P85.167 billion worth of illegally imported goods, including counterfeit products, illegal drugs, smuggled tobacco and vape goods, as well as agricultural products were seized by the BOC in 2024.
The BOC also canceled the accreditation of 56 importers and customs brokers who violated regulations. The agency filed criminal cases against 45 entities involved in smuggling.
Fair income for farmers
Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday welcomed the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s initiative to set the National Food Authority (NFA) rice price at P35 per kilo.
Fair income for farmers, however, must be guaranteed by the government to sustain local rice production, Romualdez noted.
P20/kilo rice out of reach
President Marcos’ campaign promise to bring rice prices to P20 per kilo is not yet attainable despite declining global prices of the staple, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
“Possibly around mid-P30s,” Tiu Laurel said.
Prices under the DA’s Rice-for-All program were reduced by as much as P3 per kilo to reflect the downward trend in the global market and an increase in domestic supply.
Based on the DA’s latest monitoring of Metro Manila markets the retail price of special rice ranged between P51 and P62. It was higher compared to the prevailing retail price of P60 a week ago.
The maximum SRP of P55 per kilo on imported grains took effect on Feb. 5. – Catherine Talavera, Brix Lelis, Jose Rodel Clapano, Bella Cariaso
