There has been significant success in the battle against corruption in both the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
The credit largely belongs to the leaders: Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon.
Nevertheless, there are people at the lower levels who are sabotaging the good work at the top. This is usually done through deliberate “slow speed” or total inaction.
Raids
Last Dec. 13, the DA conducted a successful raid and confiscated banned imported poultry products that carried the threat of avian or bird flu. The Alyansa Agrikultura (AA), together with its member organization the United Broiler Raisers Association, previously bought these products from eight retail establishments. They submitted these as proof to the DA and BOC, and requested raids to be undertaken.
On the day of the raids, AA released the following statement: “In terms of the total value for 2010 of the illegal importation of poultry products from China and Hong Kong, the Alyansa Agrikultura contends that from records of the United Nations Commodity Statistics Database (UN-COMTRADE), at least 7.3 million kilos of poultry meat and products from China were smuggled into the Philippines in 2010. At an estimate of P100 a kilo, this means P730 million in smuggled goods. We may be seeing just the tip of the iceberg.”
Slow speed
Only one raid was conducted. But since this raid was aired in several television and radio stations, no banned poultry products were sold in the next few days. However, we should note the “slow speed” that preceded this raid.
More than 10 months ago, during the Agriculture Fisheries 2025 conference convened by Secretary Alcala, Agriculture Committee Chairs Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Rep. Mark Mendoza and the private sector, this issue of smuggled poultry products was brought up for immediate action.
Disturbed by the “slow speed” and inaction of the government agencies, the AA leaders themselves bought these products from eight establishments. They then asked during the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC) Committee on Poultry, Livestock, and Feed Crops meeting last Dec. 12 for raids to be conducted.
Committee Chair Rufina Salas noted how DA had unsuccessfully tried to organize an inter-agency anti-smuggling committee since the start of the year. Though it had not yet been established because of “slow speed,” she asked DA to act on its own on this issue. Thanks to DA officials like Assistant Secretary David Catbagan, the raid was successfully conducted the very next day.
BOC
Initially, the AA leaders requested the BOC to conduct this raid. They were very impressed by the swift 24-hour action that Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim, with full support from Commissioner Biazon, had given all their complaints.
This was in contrast to AA’s experience during the previous administration. AA had submitted a list of 62 shipments of proven smuggled onions, but BOC ignored this. This is why AA filed a case against BOC officials at the previous Ombudsman’s Office. But again, “slow speed” and no action.
In the case of this proposed raid, another BOC person had intervened and suggested a subpoena instead of a raid, despite the evidence given on the smuggled goods. Perhaps this was because big names were involved. Since AA was afraid of the possible “slow speed” caused by this official and the bird flu with its corresponding risk to people’s lives, AA told BOC they would instead ask DA to conduct the raid. Fortunately, DA responded within 24 hours.
Recommendation
Up to now, 10 days after this raid, not one of the 10 retail establishments that Alyansa has proven to be selling smuggled goods has been charged. This is “slow speed.”
We suggest that the top government officials monitor closely the actions of their subordinates, specially those suspected of organized “slow speed.” “Slow speed” is a subtle form of sabotage.
We further suggest that regular meetings with the concerned private sector organizations be conducted so that the top officials are made aware of their subordinates’ “slow speed” sabotage strategy. In this way, P-Noy’s direction of “Ikaw ang boss ko” will be a reality, and not just rhetoric.
(The author is chair of Agriwatch, former secretary for presidential flagship programs and projects, and former undersecretary for Agriculture, and Trade and Industry. For inquiries and suggestions, email agriwatch_phil@yahoo.com or telefax (02) 8522112)