Instead of helping Filipino farmers become more productive and ensure the country’s food security in the long term, Agriculture Secretary William Dar is “fattening up” importers and smugglers, Sen. Imee Marcos said yesterday. Marcos said Filipino fishermen have basis once again to file cases of agricultural sabotage and technical smuggling against the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Fisheries Development Authority and the Bureau of Customs arising from Dar’s recent order to import at least 60,000 metric tons of galunggong or round scad. “I really regret recommending Secretary William Dar to the Department of Agriculture since he has done nothing but import rice, chicken, pork, fish, and now sugar,” Marcos said in a statement.

Romero, P. (2022, February 14). Agri chief fattening up importers, smugglers - Imee. The Philippine Star, p. 2.