Rep. Howard Guintu of the Pinuno Party-list, the main proponent of the recently enacted Republic Act 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, is optimistic that the new law will eradicate the presence of agricultural smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, and cartels.
Guintu also lauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for signing RA12022.
“Marcos Jr.’s directive to include the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act as a priority measure for the 19th Congress, and now his signing into law shows his sense of urgency and strong political will in addressing the presence of agricultural e smugglers and hoarders,” said Guintu.
“There is really a need to eradicate the presence of agricultural smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, and cartels in our country. The most disadvantageous sector here are our farmers and fishermen who continue to work hard for their livelihood. And of course, it’s also for our people because the price of agricultural and fishery products is affected when its supply is not stable,” the lawmaker said.
The new law aims to protect farmers and fisherfolks from unscrupulous traders and importers by eliminating smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel of agricultural and fishery products.