Labor unions, onion farmers join drive against smuggling

MANILA, Philippines – The private sector has intensified its campaign against smuggling as onion farmers and labor unions have joined forces with the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG).

PASG chief Antonio Villar Jr. and FPI president Jesus L. Arranza signed the agreement with the representatives of the farmers and workers organizations last Wednesday.

“The workers and the farmers are the ultimate victims of smuggling so they are really eager to help the FPI and PASG in this battle against unscrupulous traders and their unseen partners in the BOC,” Arranza said.

“We now have a more solid front against smuggling because aside from the domestic manufacturers and industry groups, the farmers and labor organizations will now also be helping PASG in going after smugglers,” he added.

He said the onion farmers are complaining that despite the use of X-ray machines and the100-percent inspection of refrigerated vans as mandated by a Customs memorandum order, the smuggling of onion remains unabated.

As for the plight of the Filipino workers, Arranza said several companies have been forced to shut down because they cannot compete with the smuggled competition.

Large contingents of onion farmers and workers even conducted protest rallies near the BOC premises in Manila in separate occasions several weeks ago.

Officials of the labor and farmers groups expressed their dismay over the failure of the BOC to abate smuggling and demanded the resignation of Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales and other top BOC officials “out of delicadeza.”

Arranza also sought the help of the media in the fight against smuggling. He noted that just like the domestic industries, farmers and workers, the broadcast and print media are also affected by shrinking ad spending because companies are losing their business to smugglers. “And I don’t think the smugglers will be advertising their illegitimate business.”

The MOA details the areas of cooperation among the different parties, including a feedback and alert mechanism that would enable PASG to receive vital information on suspected incidents of smuggling of agricultural and non-agricultural products on a timely manner.

Another positive development in the anti-smuggling campaign, Arranza said, is the commitment of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to conduct a “no non-sense” inquiry on smuggling.

“We received an unconditional support from the Senate President and he wants this investigation to result in an enactment of a stronger anti-smuggling law and the filing of cases against public and private personalities who are involved in all sorts of smuggling,” Arranza said. –Philippine Star