The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act will give more teeth to government efforts against smugglers whose illegal activities are hurting the country’s farmers, fisherfolk as well as Filipino consumers, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said.

The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, a priority measure of the administration is scheduled to be signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

“Isang malaking hakbang patungo sa pagpapatupad ng layunin ng pamahalaan na makapag-hatid ng murang pagkain sa bawat tahanan ang pagpasa ng Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act (The passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act is a big step towards the implementation of the government's goal of bringing cheap food to every home),” Escudero said.

“Smugglers, hoarders and profiteers have long served as a monkey wrench to our efforts toward attaining food security. With this law, we are optimistic that more Filipinos will now have greater access to affordable and nutritious food,” the Senate leader stressed.

The measure is expected to combat rampant smuggling, profiteering and hoarding of agricultural products to make food more affordable and accessible to many Filipinos and provide better income for local farmers.

The senator said the new law sends a strong message that the government will use all its resources to prosecute individuals and groups who engage in smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and other uncompetitive and exploitative practices in the agriculture sector.

“Farmers, fisherfolk, livestock and poultry raisers, and legitimate traders have long been suffering from the operations of smugglers and other individuals and groups engaged in the manipulation of the market,” he said.

“With the new law, we expect to see lower food prices and better incomes for our stakeholders in the agriculture sector,” he stressed.

The Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act will also protect the public from the influx and proliferation of sub-standard or even goods that are not fit for human consumption.

Under the proposed law, acts that aid in the commission of agricultural economic sabotage, such as the transport and storage of the smuggled goods, could result to a 20 to 30 years jail term and a fine of twice the value of the agricultural and fishery products subject of the crime.