Agriculture stakeholders "should be given a seat at the table" in the government's fight against agricultural smuggling.

Thus, said AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee as he called for greater collaboration between the government and the agriculture stakeholders in this high-stakes battle.

Lee, in statement Friday, Jan. 20, said various private sector stakeholders have offered to help the government put a stop to the chronic smuggling of agricultural products. which has affected local production and contributed to the high prices of food.

"Nariyan na po ang ating agri-stakeholders na nag-aalok ng tulong (Our agri-stakeholders are here, offering their help). I hope the government accepts this offer, as we need all the help we can get to comprehensively address agri-smuggling in our country," Lee said.

The lawmaker emphasized that the stakeholders who are most affected by the evils of agricultural smuggling "should be given a seat at the table".

"Dahil nasa ground sila, alam nila ang pasikot-sikot, alam nila ang epekto ng smuggling. Kumbaga, ang mga stakeholder natin ay maaaring magsilbing guide sa nakakalito at mapanlinlang na terrain (Because they are on the ground, they know the ins and outs, as well as the effects of smuggling. In other words, our stakeholders can serve as the guide in this confusing and deceitful terrain)," the rookie congressman explained.

"They can ensure that government's actions are truly targeted and thus, efficient and effective," he added.

Lee also lauded the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), which has been working with the Department of Agriculture's (DA) counter-intelligence team. He said that such collaboration is the way forward, and he expressed hope that more private stakeholders would join in anti-smuggling efforts.

"Hopefully, we can expect their help not only in enforcement, but in every aspect of our fight against agri-smuggling, including the creation of stronger laws and policies that would effectively address this long-standing problem," he said .

The Bicol lawmaker also urged President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to institutionalize the inspectorate and enforcement divisions of the DA, which is currently headed by Assistant Secretary James Layug.

"Pondohan natin ang opisinang ito, lagyan natin ng tao para magkangipin sila, at para hindi lang ad hoc, at makalikha sila ng medium to long-term, comprehensive strategy (Let us fund this office, given them 'teeth' by adding personnel, and let them create a medium to long-term, comprehensive strategy)," Lee said.