DA-BFAR defends chief accused of involvement in agri smuggling

The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) on Tuesday defended its chief who was identified as among the alleged protectors and smugglers of agricultural products by the Senate committee of the whole.

In a statement, the DA-BFAR said it “takes exception” to the report released by the Senate panel alleging involvement of its national director Eduardo Gongona in agricultural smuggling.

On Monday, the Senate committee of the whole released a 63-page document on the investigation on the alleged proliferation of smuggled vegetables in the country.

The report identified 22 persons linked to the alleged smuggling, which include Gongona, DA Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan, Customs chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero, and several  Bureau of Customs and DA officials.

In Gongona’s defense, the DA-BFAR said that under his leadership, the agency “remained committed to the government’s endeavor to end corruption by instituting mechanisms and processes that uphold integrity and good governance within the agency.”

“As proof of this commitment, the DA-BFAR has, for the last five years, worked incessantly to improve its quality management system to ensure effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in all its processes. This quality management system has received an ISO 9001:2015 certification in 2020,” it said.

The DA-BFAR added that as part of the improvement of our quality management system, the agency has also strengthened its monitoring and regulations systems to ensure strict compliance with policies and guidelines concerning domestic and international movement of fish and fishery products.

“Inspection and certification processes and systems have been continuously improved in line with Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act and Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act,” the agency said.

“Likewise, state auditors have affirmed the efforts of the Bureau to maintain transparency and accountability in its financial activities when the Commission on Audit (COA) rendered an unqualified opinion, the highest audit rating given by the COA, on DA-BFAR Central Office’s financial statements for 2021—a first in the history of DA-BFAR,” it said.

The DA-BFAR said the agency and its chief Gongona “are prepared to address all the allegations and ensure the Senate and the public of our participation in any investigation that will be initiated regarding this issue.”

“We hope to be given a fair opportunity to prove DA-BFAR’s integrity and reach the truth of this matter,” it said.—Ted Cordero/AOL, GMA News