Department of Agriculture Asec. James Layug wants to expand the 'visitorial power' of the government in an effort to stomp the problem of agricultural smuggling in the Philippines.
Layug revealed on Tuesday, February 14, that the 'visitorial power' of DA only covers cold storage facilities accredited by the agency.
He said that DA needs to acquire a search warrant before authorities can check private warehouses for smuggled agricultural products.
"Kung sakali, atin pa rin pinagtitibay ang ating presence sa mga warehouse, mga bagsakan, at merkado para ma-ensure natin na hanggang doon ay mahuli natin yung mga ipinagbabawal na agricultural products," Layug said during DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
Layug also likened the campaign against agricultural smuggling to playing 'patintero'.
"Mas maganda sana na sa pantalan pa lang nahaharang na natin para hindi na makapasok. Mahirap, parang patintero iyan, kapag nakapasok ay mahirap ng mahabol," the DA executive stressed.
Layug said that the Philippine government has seized Php 1.5 billion worth of agricultural products since DA intensified the operations against smuggling.
