Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno declared a zero-tolerance stance on agricultural smuggling during a recent gathering with the MAGSASAKA Partylist and farmer representatives from Central Luzon provinces.
Nepomuceno spoke before members of the MAGSASAKA Partylist and farmer leaders from Pampanga, Bataan, Aurora, Tarlac, Zambales, and Nueva Ecija at an event attended by MAGSASAKA Partylist Chairman and former Representative Argel Joseph Cabatbat, DIWA Partylist Chairman and former Representative Michael Aglipay, and Vice Mayor Dr. Allan Policarpio representing Mayor Michael Galang.
The commissioner stated that smuggling affects the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk nationwide. He acknowledged that many Filipinos depend on agriculture for income and emphasized that the agency’s focus extends beyond products to the futures of millions of Filipino families.
Nepomuceno cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives to strengthen revenue collection, minimize corruption, and modernize the Bureau of Customs. He noted that the agency surpassed its revenue collection target by more than ₱11 billion, citing the figure as evidence that reforms and efficient revenue generation can coexist.
The commissioner said every successful effort to stop smuggling protects legitimate businesses and local producers while ensuring that the government properly collects revenues intended for public programs and services. He stated that the BOC aims to become a more reliable partner to farmers in coming years, with orderly government revenue collection, agency reform, and strengthened border protection serving as key contributions to the agriculture sector.
Cabatbat thanked Nepomuceno for the BOC’s intensified efforts against agricultural smuggling and customs fraud. He said the Bureau of Customs, under the commissioner’s leadership, and the MAGSASAKA Partylist share a common enemy in agricultural smugglers and work as one team to defend Filipino farmers from unfair competition caused by illegally imported products.
During the event held on August 27, 2026, the assembly approved a motion conferring Honorary Member status upon Commissioner Nepomuceno with the MAGSASAKA Partylist, recognizing his support for farmers and commitment to combating agricultural smuggling.
The Bureau of Customs operates under mandates to protect national borders, ensure proper government revenue collection, and enforce compliance against customs fraud and illicit trade. Agricultural producers and related businesses continue to seek enforcement actions against allegedly smuggled goods that undercut domestic market prices. Armin A. Amio, Editor
