DA: Anti-agri economic sabotage act set to fight illicit tobacco trade
MANILA, Philippines — The newly signed Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act is expected to bolster the fight against tobacco smuggling and illicit trade, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday.
This is amid the global and local proliferation of illicit activities in tobacco products, which the agency considers as hurdles that are “complex and extensive.”
On behalf of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Undersecretary Roger Navarro emphasized that the law promotes a whole-of-government approach by collaborating with policymakers, regulators, and law enforcement agencies.
“With the AES (Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act) law, we hold every criminal accountable, empowering our enforcement agencies with the tools they need to protect our economy and our farmers,” Tiu Laurel said in a message delivered by Navarro during the 2nd International Tobacco Summit on Monday.
“Ang mga batas na ito ay nagbibigay ng ngipin sa ating mga law enforcement agencies, at ito ay napakahalaga para sa ating lokal na industriya. We cannot afford to let illicit trade undermine our agricultural sector and the livelihoods of our farmers,” he added.
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(These laws bolster our law enforcement agencies, which is critical for our local industry. We cannot afford to let illicit trade undermine our agricultural sector and the livelihoods of our farmers.)
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He further underscored that the law supports both food and national security, which he described as interconnected.
“This law is not just a set of regulations. It is a turning point for our agricultural sector. It aims to enhance the welfare of our farmers and fisherfolk, aligning perfectly with our President’s thrust to ensure food security for every Filipino,” he said.
“When we support our farmers, we bolster the foundations of our society, and we safeguard the future,” he added.
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Tiu Laurel highlighted the significant contribution of the local tobacco industry to the national economy, job creation, and public health funding.
“As of 2021, the total value of tobacco exports, both manufactured and unmanufactured, reached an impressive amount of $619 million,” he noted.
“This figure highlights the global demand for our tobacco products and, at the same time, emphasizes the vital contribution to our national economy,” he added.
With this, Tiu Laurel called on stakeholders to unite and enhance strategies to combat illicit tobacco trade and safeguard local farmers.
“When we invest in our communities, we strengthen the very fabric of our society,” he stressed.
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The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, signed into law on September 25, 2024, imposes stiffer penalties on smugglers and hoarders of agricultural and fishery products.
Under this law, the DA treats “smuggling and hoarding of agricultural food products as economic sabotage when the value of goods exceeds P10 million.”
Violators face fines five times the value of the smuggled or hoarded products and could face life imprisonment if found guilty.
“Creating cartels and financing smugglers and hoarders will also be considered economic sabotage,” the DA said in a previous statement.
Additionally, the law establishes a minimum retail price for tobacco products in the country as part of its provisions to regulate the industry and combat illicit trade.