The Marcos administration has recorded the highest value of seized agricultural smuggling in Philippine history, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday.
Tiu Laurel made the statement in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 18, as part of the DZRH SONA 2026 Series.
He said rice smuggling—once rampant—has been nearly wiped out under the current administration.
“Sa rice, yung smuggling ng rice na nangyayari, supposedly dati ay marami, ngayon hindi ko na nakikita. Kung mayroon man, konting-konti na lang,” Tiu Laurel said.
Fish importation has also been cut in half—from 600,000 tons previously to 300,000 tons now—which Tiu Laurel attributed partly to stricter enforcement and new policies blocking the entry of mechanically deboned meat disguised as pork or chicken parts.
The administration also seized the highest value of smuggled agricultural goods in history, with cigarettes among the biggest hauls, Tiu Laurel said.
He credited the crackdown to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s direct order to clean up the Department of Agriculture—the first of three directives the President gave him upon his appointment.
Tiu Laurel said the cleanup targeted agri-smugglers, fake fertilizer suppliers, and other schemes that had long exploited the agricultural sector and hurt farmers.
He acknowledged that the crackdown came with personal risks, saying there were threats and pressure — but stressed that the DA held firm with the full backing of the President.
“Talagang kahit na may pressure, may mga threats pa at lahat diyan, matibay ho tayo dahil suportado tayo ng ating Pangulo na hindi papayag sa mga ganyan,” Tiu Laurel said.
