The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) blacklisted 18 importers in 2024, the highest number for a single year, exceeding the total number blacklisted over the past decade on technical smuggling and other regulatory breaches.
In its annual accomplishment report to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, BPI Executive Director Glen Panganiban said this said this is part of its major achievements in 2024.
Panganiban also reported that a total of 515,375 first border inspections and 28,000 second border inspections were conducted in 2024, reaching 199 percent and 206 percent of its targets, respectively.
The agency’s anti-smuggling operations intercepted hundreds of tons of illegally shipped agricultural commodities, including onions, carrots, mushrooms, and tomatoes. BPI also conducted more than half a million first and second border inspections, significantly surpassing internal targets.
“We also confiscated 1,958 non-compliant consignments, mostly intercepted at NAIA. A notable confiscation included 5,640 Phalaenopsis orchids infected with the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus, which could cause severe damage to economically important crops,” he added.
In addition, BPI also distributed over 54 tons of vegetable seeds to support local production, blacklisting 18 importers to safeguard human and plant health, and facilitating the opening of new international markets for Philippine fruits.
“BPI distributed 28,960.88 kilograms of vegetable seeds, 21,000 kilograms of white potato, and 6,557.3 kilograms of legumes to 857 individuals and 225 groups to improve crop yields and enhance food security,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel.
“Additionally, the Bureau provided 776,721 planting materials to 520 individuals and 597 groups, ensuring access to quality resources for sustainable farming practices.”
BPI issued last year a total of 93,727 SPS Import Clearances (SPSICs) for products like orchids and rice, with imports reaching over 5.2 million metric tons of plant products. The Bureau also issued 82,855 export certificates for items such as bananas, pineapples, and coconuts, ensuring they met international food safety standards.
BPI’s Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) issued plant variety protection certificates to 13 yellow corn varieties and one kiwi variety, further enhancing the Philippines’ agricultural diversity. The PVPO also established an inventory system for locally bred varieties and developed a registry to improve transparency and strengthen partnerships with farming communities.
BPI also played a crucial role in expanding market access for Philippine agricultural products. The bureau helped ensure the quality of the first shipment of Hass avocados to Japan, as well as exports of fresh durian to Malaysia, frozen durian to China and New Zealand, pomelo to Poland, and mangoes to Lebanon.
Secretary Tiu Laurel praised BPI’s efforts, emphasizing their role in fostering food safety, preventing the entry and spread of plant diseases, ensuring Philippine agricultural exports meet international standards while contributing to the government’s food security initiatives. He also noted that BPI’s efforts help stabilize agricultural prices by ensuring the production of high-quality seeds and planting materials.
