Tondo, City of Manila
December 14, 2024 

Demonstrating the Administration’s relentless commitment to safeguarding the country’s food supply, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspected approximately PhP178.5 million worth of confiscated frozen mackerel imported from China at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) in Tondo, City of Manila.

In his brief remarks, the President noted that this is the first enforcement action under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act that classifies agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and engaging in a cartel as economic sabotage.

“In-smuggling nila yung mga agricultural goods. Sinisira ang merkado dito sa Pilipinas, pinagkikitaan ang tao. Wala namang bumabalik sa gobyerno at ‘yung dapat na ibayad sa gobyerno ay ibinubulsa lamang. Tapos hindi na nga natin makontrol kung paano nila ire-release dahil nakita natin, kasama na rin ‘yan sa ibang agricultural product na kahit makapag-import sila ng mura iniipit muna nila bago pataasin ang presyo, bago nila bibitawan sa merkado,” he explained.

The Chief Executive emphasized that the success of these operations would not be possible without the coordination of various government agencies, including the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Dahil mayroon namang inspection, na-inspection na ito, safe for human consumption kaya’t — habang pwede pa ay i-distribute na natin para naman hindi masayang at magamit naman ng ating mga kababayan,” he stated.

In closing, President Marcos Jr. reiterated that such operations are important for controlling smuggling and ensuring a more efficient food supply in the country.

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