JV Ejercito seeks protection for farmers and fisherfolk from unscrupulous traders and importers
September 7, 2023
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito is
proposing a legislation that would protect farmers and fisherfolk from unscrupulous
traders and importers as well as ensure reasonable and affordable prices of
agricultural and fishery products for consumers.
This followed his filing of Senate Bill (SB)
No. 2432 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
During the Kapihan sa Senado press conference
on Thursday, Sept. 7, Ejercito cited hoarding, profiteering and cartel
operations as some detrimental practices that plague the agricultural industry,
which pose a grave threat to local production.
“Hopefully, baka makatulong itong passage ng
Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage in protection of our local agriculture
industry at para matulak naman natin yung local production,” Ejercito said.
Under the proposed bill, these prohibited
activities are categorized as forms of economic sabotage, and they become
subject to penalties. The crucial threshold value for these offenses is set at
a minimum of P1 million.
“Our target really is large-scale
agri-smuggling which is really affecting our local farmers and the whole
industry. Ang target natin ay yung tone-toneladang containers na nakakalusot,”
he said.
“I don't think we will really be able to
advance or see an improvement in the sector of agriculture lalo sa pagiging
self-sufficient natin sa local production if these practices continue,” he
added.
The lawmaker from San Juan emphasized the
urgent need for such legislation as these illicit practices not only harm the
livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk but also have a significant impact on
local production.
After seven years since the passage of the
Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, Ejercito expressed his dissatisfaction
with the performance of the implementing agencies as the importation of
agricultural products, especially rice and sugar, continues unabated with
authorities liberally issuing import permits.
“What has happened because of this unabated
smuggling and cartel and profiteering, na-di-discourage na, wala na pumapasok
sa agriculture, importation nalang nang importation,” he pointed out.
“Our farmers are getting old. We have to make
the agriculture industry interesting again. Hopefully, it will make it more
profitable this time to produce locally para maging attractive siya for local
producers,” he noted.
Based on the proposed measure, the government
will establish an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council that would
oversee the implementation of the law. It comprises the Department of
Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Justice,
Department of Finance, Department of the Interior and Local Government,
Department of Transportation, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and Philippine
Competition Commission.
It shall also have one representative from the
agricultural sector whose membership is nationwide: sugar; rice and corn;
livestock and poultry; vegetables and fruits; fisheries and other aquatic
products; and tobacco.
The proposed bill will also establish an
enforcement group with a clear mandate for thorough investigations, alongside a
special team of prosecutors specially tasked to assist the Council in the
expeditious prosecution of criminal cases.
“Because of the delays on the court
proceedings and overload, minsan nakakalimutan na. The establishment of a
special prosecution team in the DOJ for smuggling and the special courts would
greatly help the success of the implementation of this measure,” he said.
Once penalized, according to Ejercito, the
offense carries a single penalty of life imprisonment and a fine amounting to
triple the value of the agricultural and fishery products involved in the
crime.