Only 7% of agri goods smuggled, but there‘s an alarming rise – Salceda

MANILA, Philippines — Though only 7% of the agriculture products entering the Philippines are estimated to be underreported or smuggled, figures from recent years show an alarming rise, according to Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda.

The percentage covers the years 2016 to 2021 when, of the total world exports to the Philippines amounted to $71.70 billion, of which only $5.317 billion were underreported, Salceda explained during the hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means on Monday.

In his presentation, said this was lower than the percentage of items smuggled into the country — for example, 41% for tobacco and 19% for petroleum.

“If you lo…

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