Subic Bay Smuggling A Big Problem For DA

Smuggling at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) poses a significant challenge for the Department of Agriculture (DA), as the inspection at ports where nefarious activities persist falls outside the scope of the government agency.

There is substantial profit to be gained from smuggling, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce president Cecilio Pedro said in a discussion, in which former DA Secretary William Dar also participated. I Photos: William Dar, Dr. Cecilio Kwok Pedro Facebook

Bureau of Plant Industry head Glen Panganiban stated that the ports are not supervised by the DA, which serves as the first line of defense for intercepting smuggling, particularly of vegetables.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is responsible for overseeing the ports.

Despite this, Panganiban noted that the DA has apprehended numerous individuals involved in smuggling activities, including vegetables, and some have been brought to court.

There is substantial profit to be gained from smuggling, according to Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce president Cecilio Pedro. The allure of significant profits contributes to the persistence of smuggling practices.

Pedro highlighted that items such as garlic, which can be purchased for P10 per kilo in China, are sold at P200 per kilo domestically. He emphasized the financial incentive for smuggling and expressed concern about the Philippines falling behind its ASEAN neighbors.

Panganiban and Pedro were part of a panel that discussed the private sector's push for "urban farming" as a solution to the country's pursuit of food security. Former Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Dr. Joel Cuello from the University of Illinois also participated in the discussion.

Dar, now with Go Negosyo, emphasized the need for fostering urban farming to address part of the vegetable needs of the metropolis. This includes exploring vertical farming, a topic discussed by Cuello, an expert in the field.

Dar pointed out that around 25 typhoons visit the country annually, with five being destructive, causing devastation to regions like Southern Tagalog or Benguet, where vegetables are cultivated.

To institutionalize urban farming, Panganiban mentioned the DA's partnerships with the Iwahig Penal Colony and the BJMP facility, where land has been allocated for high-value crops and vegetable cultivation.

Cuello advocated for vertical farming as a means to supply part of the vegetable needs, citing a Food Agriculture Organization study that calls for a 70 percent increase in food production by 2050 to meet demand.

The panelists also addressed challenges in agriculture, emphasizing the need for farmers' cooperatives to overcome issues associated with small landholdings. Pedro suggested government-led land reform for public lands as a solution.

Meanwhile, the government is taking steps to institutionalize agricultural subjects in high schools as part of the strategy to enhance the country's food security.

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