Gov’t to enforce strict price monitoring, anti-smuggling measures
The Marcos administration is intensifying efforts to combat large-scale agricultural smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, and cartel operators who disrupt supply chains, threaten farmers’ and fisherfolk’s livelihoods, and undermine food security.
The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage (AAES) Council, in its inaugural meeting at the Palace this week, formed specialized working groups, including an Enforcement Group composed of the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Finance and Justice departments officials.
“With both the law and enforcement teams in place, we are ready to go after economic saboteurs. This will protect our farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers while ensuring a stable food supply,” Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs and AAES council chairperson Frederick Go said.
The AAES Council was formed to strictly enforce the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act that imposes harsher penalties on those guilty of agricultural economic sabotage.
Other key initiatives discussed were the Daily Price Index with the Agriculture department’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance (AMAS) monitoring agricultural prices and the National Single Window, to be led by the Finance and Trade departments, to curb illegal imports.
“We are sending a strong message—economic saboteurs will face swift and decisive action,” Go said.
The Council will meet quarterly, he said, and on special sessions as needed to sustain momentum in protecting the country’s food supply.
The new law expands the coverage of illegal activities classified as acts of economic sabotage involving agricultural products not previously covered under the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
Under the law, the term agricultural products shall now cover livestock, aquatic products, and tobacco.
Perpetrators now face a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of five times the value of agricultural and fishery products subject to the crime.