Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Cases: A Monumental Failure
From 2016 to February 2023, out of the 159 large-scale anti-agricultural smuggling cases, only nine have been filed in court. Shockingly, 76 cases, accounting for approximately 48% of the total, have been dismissed due to a lack of probable cause. Furthermore, not a single agricultural smuggler has been arrested or convicted in the past seven years.
This failure can be attributed to two major reasons. Firstly, the valuation of smuggling under RA 10845 is controversial as it gives discretionary power to compromised Customs officials. This valuation is only conducted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and does not involve the Department of Agriculture or the NBI. The legislator responsible for this provision in the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Law remains unknown.
Secondly, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10845 lack specific details necessary for effective prosecution. This vagueness allows the BOC to manipulate valuations and employ delaying tactics, hindering the progress of cases. Assistant Solicitor General Bernard Hernandez has highlighted the difficulties in prosecuting under this law, urging for further amendments.
The recent series of raids conducted by the Bureau of Customs, resulting in significant seizures of smuggled goods, have proven to be nothing more than public spectacles. No substantial punishments or convictions have been made, leading Senator Cynthia Villar to call for the abolition of RA 10845.
Unfortunately, the failure to combat agricultural smuggling has had negative repercussions on the prices of rice, onions, garlic, and sugar. This monumental failure lies with Congress and Malacañang, dating back to 2016.
Philippines Ranks Fifth Globally in Zero-Dose Children
According to data from UNICEF and the WHO, the Philippines ranks fifth worldwide in terms of the number of zero dose children. We are also the second-highest in the East Asia and Pacific Region, second only to Myanmar.
A zero-dose child refers to an infant or child who has not received any vaccinations against common diseases. Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, a pediatric infectious disease expert, suggests that the number of unvaccinated children may be higher than reported, considering that many babies born during the pandemic also missed their routine vaccines.
These zero-dose children are at high risk for vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly pneumonia. Pneumonia remains the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 years in 2020. Babies and children under the age of 2 are particularly vulnerable to this life-threatening disease.
Evidence shows that several vaccines included in the national program can prevent pneumonia, such as the pneumococcal vaccine. Local Government Units (LGUs) should take the lead in reaching zero-dose children through their barangays and implementing catch-up vaccination efforts. By identifying and understanding these children, effective intervention measures can be put in place to protect them against pneumonia and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Parents all over the country are advised to take advantage of free pneumococcal vaccines available in health centers nationwide for their zero-dose or under-immunized children.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Read Next
Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am, and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
