Pinapurihan ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez ang pagsasabatas sa Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act na aniya’y matagal nang hinihintay na hakbang para protektahan ang sektor ng agrikultura mula sa smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, at cartels.
Giit ng House leader, malinaw itong mensahe na hindi kukunsintihin at palalagpasin ng pamahalaan ang mga magmamanipula at sisira sa food supply ng bansa.
Sa bagong batas ang hoarding, profiteering, at cartelizing ay ituturing na ring economic sabotage na may parusang habang buhay na pagkakakulong at multa na katumbas ng limang beses ng halaga ng agri product na sangkot.
Umaasa si Romualdez na sa batas na ito, matuturuan ng leksyon ang mga nananamantala sa mga konsyumer at nagpapahirap sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda.
“For far too long, the greed of a few has resulted in the suffering of many, driving up food prices and hurting the very people who work tirelessly to provide for our nation…The signing of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act is a strong signal that we will no longer allow a few to profit at the expense of many. The protection of our agriculture and the welfare of the Filipino people are our top priorities,” diin ni Romualdez.
Nakapaloob din dito ang pagbuo sa Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council na tututok sa pagpapatupad ng batas.
“This council will be the backbone of our efforts to protect the integrity of our food supply chain by coordinating various agencies and leveraging their expertise, ensuring we can respond swiftly and decisively to any attempts to manipulate the market,” paliwanag ng House Speaker.
Itatatag din ang Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group—na bubuoin ng National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, at Philippine Coast Guard—na magsasagawa ng mga inspeksyon at magpapatupad ng kaukulang parusa.
Magtatalaga din ng espesyal na prosekusyon sa loob ng Department of Justice na tututok sa kaso ng agricultural economic sabotage
“This law is a major victory for our farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers, and it underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation’s food security,” saad pa niya. | ulat ni Kathleen Jean Forbes
