The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) has filed a formal complaint against Betron Consumer Goods Trading and its owner, Ronnel Manalang, for smuggling fresh carrots and yellow onions through the Port of Subic.

The complaint, submitted to the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office, accuses Betron of violating the Food Safety Act and the 1978 Plant Quarantine Law. In August 2024, five shipping containers declared as frozen fish egg balls were found, upon inspection, to contain 56,998 kilos of carrots and 85,626 kilos of yellow onions, valued at approximately P20.8 million.

Carmela Rivera, area manager for Subic Port’s National Plant Quarantine Services Division, confirmed in her affidavit that the misdeclared agricultural goods were confiscated immediately to safeguard public health. Further analysis revealed traces of E. coli and unregistered pesticide residues on the seized produce.

The products lacked the mandatory sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances. A show-cause order issued to Betron and Manalang was ignored, prompting DA-BPI to escalate the case. On December 9, 2024, DA-BPI filed the formal complaint, leading to the revocation of Betron’s importation license. Both Betron and Manalang were also blacklisted, barring them from future operations in the agricultural sector.

The complaint highlights deliberate misdeclaration and fraudulent documentation, which not only endangered public health but also defrauded the government. Violations of the Food Safety Act carry severe penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines.

The DA-BPI reiterated its commitment to upholding food safety standards and protecting consumers from risks posed by illegally imported and improperly handled agricultural goods. ###