Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
LEGAZPI CITY—Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Tuesday said his agency and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are preparing charges against three businessmen engaged in the smuggling of imported vegetables.
Dar, who was in Albay province on Tuesday for a series of engagements, said this development was the result of an ongoing investigation into the importation of smuggled vegetables from China which led to the raid of at least three warehouses owned by these businessmen in Metro Manila and Subic, Zambales.
He, however, declined to name these businessmen, who will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
He said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the BOC had stepped up their surveillance operation to pin down the smugglers of imported vegetables, especially carrots, now sold in several markets in Metro Manila.
Dar earlier warned the public against buying smuggled vegetables due to the possible chemical residue from pesticides and preservatives that could affect consumers’ health.
Assistance
On Tuesday, Dar turned over P38 million worth of production inputs and farm equipment to farmers’ groups and irrigators’ associations in Albay.
He also signed a memorandum of agreement with Gov. Al Francis Bichara and other parties involved in the implementation of the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (Pafes), which is being piloted in selected provinces, including Albay in the Bicol region.