CONSUMER advocate CitizenWatch Philippines on Tuesday expressed full support for the newly forged partnership between the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) to combat smuggling.
The group said it was a crucial step toward protecting legitimate businesses, ensuring fair competition, and defending public health.
The agreement, formalized during the 2025 Business Summit at the Manila Polo Club by Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and FPI chairperson Elizabeth Lee, aims to strengthen intelligence sharing, reporting mechanisms, and transparency measures in anti-smuggling operations.
CitizenWatch lead convenor Orlando Oxales lauded the initiative, saying the collaboration sends a strong message that government and industry are united in fighting the “illicit trade that continues to harm consumers and manufacturers alike.”
“Smuggling doesn’t just rob the government of revenues. It robs Filipinos of jobs, hospitals, and medicines,” Oxales said. “Every illegal shipment that enters the country weakens our industries and endangers the health of millions through unregulated, substandard goods.”
According to BOC data, the agency seized ₱34.7 billion worth of smuggled goods from January to August 2025 during 653 operations nationwide.
Under Nepomuceno’s leadership, the BOC confiscated ₱2.39 billion worth of illegal products in just two months — including ₱1.23 billion in illegal drugs, ₱929 million in counterfeit and untaxed cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes, and ₱178 million in agricultural goods.
Oxales emphasized that illicit tobacco remains one of the most pervasive forms of smuggling, with one in every five cigarettes in the market untaxed and unregulated. He said this has led to a drop in excise revenues from ₱176 billion in 2021 to ₱134 billion in 2024.
“The fight against smuggling is not just about protecting businesses. It’s about protecting our people,” Oxales added. “We urge stronger coordination between Customs, law enforcement, and local governments to dismantle the networks that profit from crime and addiction.”
CitizenWatch also cited the efforts of Davao City councilor Rachel Zozobrado, who earlier called for an inquiry into the sale of illicit cigarettes that target minors through cheap, unregulated products.
“We cannot allow smuggled and unregulated cigarettes to reach our youth,” Zozobrado said. “Local enforcement must work hand in hand with national agencies to stop this at the source.”
The Davao City Vices Regulation Unit (VRU), meanwhile, reiterated that while it enforces anti-smoking and liquor ordinances, the Philippine National Police and the BOC are the lead agencies in addressing smuggling and should intensify joint operations to stop the illegal trade.
VRU chief retired Col. Jay Francia noted that sale of untaxed cigarettes remained widespread in the markets, particularly in Bankerohan and Agdao areas.. “The PNP and Bureau of Customs must intensify their operations against the entry of smuggled cigarettes,” he said.
Oxales said the BOC’s commitment to digitalization and transparency, as emphasized by Nepomuceno during the summit, marks a significant step toward restoring integrity and public confidence in trade enforcement. Nepomuceno earlier said the agency is expanding the use of scanning machines, CCTV monitoring, and automated systems to prevent tampering and insider collusion.
“These reforms must be sustained through consistent enforcement and moral leadership. When reform becomes culture, corruption loses its oxygen,” he said.
