Manila: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a ‘strict and data-driven’ fish importation allocation system in the country. ‘I believe our system is fair, just, and nasa tama (in the right). Walang pabor-pabor ‘yun. Kaya nabanggit ko na integridad ng sistema namin ang kine-question (We don’t give favors. That’s why I pointed out that it is the integrity of our system that’s being questioned),’ he said in an ambush interview on the sidelines of the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” expansion launch for the transport sector.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tiu Laurel issued the statement after disclosing during Monday’s House Committee on Appropriations hearing that Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co allegedly pressured the Department of Agriculture (DA) to approve permits for his three companies. He said Co had sought to secure allocation for 3,000 containers of fish in 2024 – a request he did not grant.
Inquiries also arose regarding supposed concerns involving companies linked to Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, which is also one of the country’s top fish importers, that seem to put the DA’s allocation basis in question. ‘Ang lumalabas doon sa line of questioning ay pinaboran ko o ng ahensya ko na mabigyan ‘yung kompanya ni Congressman Tiangco ng pinakamalaking allocation. ‘Yun naman ang hindi ko matanggap dahil (The line of questioning suggests that I or my agency gave the largest allocation to Congressman Tiangco’s companies. That’s unacceptable to me because) I am very strict,’ Tiu Laurel said.
‘So I had to say, sinabi ko lang naman, meron ngang congressman na humingi sa akin, hindi ko pinagbigyan. Ibig sabihin si Cong. Tiangco, kung magre-request siya, hindi ko rin siya pagbibigyan (I just clarified that even when a congressman asked me, I didn’t allow it. Meaning, if Cong. Tiangco also made requests, I would not grant them either),’ he added.
The agriculture chief said Tiangco-linked companies have long been among the country’s top importers – even before the current administration – and that they have complied with the DA’s set formula. He added other traders, including known ‘diverters,’ had also tried and failed to secure unreasonable allocations last year. ‘Maraming iba, mga dating trader, known diverters. Wala akong pinagbigyan kahit isa (There were many others, former traders known as diverters. I didn’t approve even one),’ he said.
Tiu Laurel further assured the public that the DA continues to intensify efforts against agricultural smuggling, especially during the ‘ber’ months. ‘From what I recall, meron, alam ko ngayon 35 na ata ang blacklisted e, at baka madagdagan pa ng isa (If I recall correctly, there are already about 35 companies blacklisted, and we may add another one),’ he said.
He added the DA is closely coordinating with the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, National Security Council, and the Philippine National Police to hold accountable those behind the illegal entry of agricultural goods. Tiu Laurel earlier expressed hopes of seeing agricultural smugglers ‘handcuffed’ before the year ends.