Benguet vegetable trade groups favor giving Agriculture Dept police powers

An association of groups for vegetable trade in La Trinidad, Benguet expressed favor in giving police powers to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to avoid delay in arresting suspected smugglers.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Agot Balanoy of the League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Areas said the DA only reports to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC).

“Puwede po sana parang maganda rin po yun kasi parang yun po ang isang rason kaya naaantala po yung paghuli nila sa mga na-iinspect dahil instead of huhulihin na lang sana, e wala pala silang police power,” she said.

(That would be good because it seems to be one reason the DA had delay in capturing suspects during inspections because instead of just arresting the suspects, it turns out the DA has no police power to do so.)

Albay Representative Joey Salceda was earlier reported to have suggested giving police power to the DA following reports on smuggling of vegetables in the country.

Balanoy said the sales of carrots in Divisoria and Balintawak markets again have started dropping two days ago because a Chinese supplier is now allegedly delivering smuggled carrots directly to customers including restaurant owners.

Due to this, authorities would not be able to monitor the smuggled goods in markets during inspections.

Citing DA Assistant Secretary Federico Laciste Jr., Balanoy said that broccoli, leeks, and celery are also being smuggled, however, it has no effect yet on the sales of local produce.

She also expressed concern that harmful chemicals might be used in smuggled goods because they can last for two months. According to her, locally-produced goods only last for two to three days.

Balanoy said Senator Vicente Sotto III during a Senate hearing speculated that formaldehyde was possibly used as a preservative in the smuggled goods. She said this is not food grade and is bad for health. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News