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Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Illegal smuggling of veggies continues
By May Anne Cacdac
WHILE plans to revive the dying vegetable industry were proposed following the World Trade Organization (WTO) trade talks collapse, illegal smuggling of agricultural products into the country also continues to hound local farmers.
La Trinidad Mayor Nestor Fongwan went to Manila and joined a dialogue with the Anti-Smuggling Task Force and other concerned line agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), regarding the matter.
"It is with a sad heart that I have to report that smuggling remains to be rampant in the country," Fongwan said during a telephone interview.
The provincial government, through Gov. Raul Molintas, already questioned the issuance of importation permits by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to the different importers.
This is despite DA Sec. Luis Lorenzo's issuance of a directive that no importation permits may be given out unless deputized by his agency.
"We have to nip (smuggling) in the bud. As long as there is smuggling in the country, there will be no hope for our local farmers to be competitive," Fongwan stressed.
It was also reported that President Arroyo made a commitment to fully implement farm-to-market roads and other vital facilities for local farmers.
"We truly hope that these may soon be implemented in the province and region so as to help our farmers. We are doubling our efforts in appealing to the national government to address the problem of smuggling the soonest," the mayor added.
Farmers earlier said they were duped by the continuing importation of agricultural products in the country as a result of the world trade liberalization.
Molintas said the province and Bukidnon have been most affected by the Gatt-WTO adding that Benguet produces 20-25 percent of the national requirement for vegetables, 80 percent of which goes down to Manila.
Jose Andiso, president of the Benguet Farmers Federation, also stressed the importation of agricultural products into the country is not justifiable saying that "there is much supply to meet the demands for these products."
Molintas also slammed BPI Sec. Blo Umpar Adiong for continuously issuing permits for importation despite a directive from President Arroyo.
According to the governor, BPI reasoned that these imported products are only for sampling.
"At 50,000 metric tons, how can one believe that these are (indeed) for sampling only?" Molintas said.
(September 23, 2003 issue)
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