BUREAU OF Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno assured the country’s farmers that the agency remains “relentless” in its fight against agricultural smuggling, emphasizing that protecting local producers, securing national borders, and ensuring proper government revenue collection are among the Bureau’s key mandates.
Addressing members of the MAGSASAKA Partylist and farmer leaders from Pampanga, Bataan, Aurora, Tarlac, Zambales, and Nueva Ecija, Commissioner Nepomuceno acknowledged the damaging impact of smuggling on the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk across the country.
“Kapag may smuggling, tinatamaan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Nauunawaan ko po iyan,” Nepomuceno said.
“Maraming Pilipino ang umaasa sa agrikultura para mabuhay. Kaya hindi lamang produkto ang ating ipinaglalaban, kundi ang kinabukasan ng milyun-milyong pamilyang Pilipino.”
The gathering was attended by MAGSASAKA Partylist Chairman and former Representative Argel Joseph Cabatbat, DIWA Partylist Chairman and former Representative Michael Aglipay, Vice Mayor Dr. Allan Policarpio representing Mayor Michael Galang of Floridablanca, Pampanga, and various farmer leaders from Central Luzon.
During the event, Cabatbat thanked Commissioner Nepomuceno for the BOC’s intensified efforts against agricultural smuggling and customs fraud and expressed his support for the agency’s campaign to protect local farmers.
“Ang Bureau of Customs, sa leadership ni Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, at ang MAGSASAKA Partylist, we have a common enemy at ‘yan ang agricultural smugglers, so we are on the same team. Maraming salamat sa mga nagawa mo, Commissioner Ariel.” Cabatbat said.
The farmers’ groups also overwhelmingly approved a motion conferring upon the Customs Chief the distinction as Honorary Member of MAGSASAKA Partylist, in recognition of his support for farmers and commitment to combating agricultural smuggling.
Commissioner Nepomuceno stressed that while the challenges confronting the agriculture sector extend beyond smuggling, the agency remains committed to fulfilling its mandate through stronger border protection and stricter enforcement against customs fraud and illicit trade.
“Kakampi ninyo po ako. Kaibigan ninyo po ako. Gagawin namin ang aming tungkulin upang maprotektahan ang inyong kabuhayan at matiyak na patas ang laban para sa ating mga lokal na magsasaka,” the Customs Chief stressed.
“Habang ako ang namumuno sa Bureau of Customs, zero tolerance tayo sa smuggling,” he said. “Hindi ko man kayang bantayan ang lahat, pero kung may magtatangkang lumabag sa batas, hahabulin at pananagutin natin sila.”
Nepomuceno also underscored President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives to strengthen revenue collection, minimize corruption, and modernize the BOC.
He noted that the agency has already surpassed its revenue collection target by more than ₱11 billion, proving that reforms and efficient revenue generation can go hand in hand.
“Palagay ko naman kaya nating pagsabayin ang reporma at koleksyon. Ang mahalaga ay makolekta nang tama ang dapat para sa bayan at magamit ito para sa kapakanan ng mga Pilipino,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, every successful effort to stop smuggling not only protects legitimate businesses and local producers but also ensures that government revenues intended for public programs and services are properly collected.
“Nagsisimula pa lamang ang reporma sa Bureau of Customs. Sa mga susunod na taon, layunin naming maging mas maaasahang kaagapay ng mga magsasaka.
“Ang maayos na koleksyon ng kita ng pamahalaan, reporma sa ahensya, at mas matatag na proteksyon sa ating mga hangganan ang ilan sa pinakamahalagang maitutulong ng Bureau of Customs sa sektor ng agrikultura,” he said.