The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intensified its crackdown on smuggling, calling it a national security concern that threatens government revenues, local industries, and food security.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio emphasized the agency’s efforts to secure borders through intelligence, enforcement, and inter-agency collaboration.
In 2024, the BOC seized over P85 billion worth of smuggled goods and revoked the accreditation of 56 importers and customs brokers for violations.
Meanwhile, Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) initiative to set the National Food Authority (NFA) rice price at P35 per kilo but stressed the need to ensure fair income for farmers.
Despite efforts to lower rice prices, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said President Marcos’ P20-per-kilo rice goal remains unattainable, with prices expected to stabilize in the mid-P30s.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 13, 2025
