Top government officials and key players in the tobacco sector will converge for a two-day International Tobacco Agricultural Summit on January 27-28, 2025, organized by the Department of Agriculture-National Tobacco Administration (DA-NTA).

Now in its second year, the summit, which is anchored on the theme “Advancing the Local Tobacco Industry and Combatting Illicit Trade,” aims to address both the growth of the Philippine tobacco industry and the challenges posed by illicit trade.

The forum, originally scheduled on October 23- 24, 2024 but postponed due to inclement weather, will be held at Seda Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City.

Confirmed attendees of the event are Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., to be represented by Undersecretary Roger Navarro,  Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to be represented by Commissioner Judymax Uy, former congressman and current president of the Philippine Tobacco Institute Jericho Nograles, former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor, and farmer leader Saturnino Distor – the president of the Philippine Tobacco Growers Association (PTGA). Other expected officials, who will attend the forum, are Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew M. Manotoc and Columnist Bienvenido Oplas, Jr.

Those government officials, who will render a recorded message for the event, are Senator Cynthia Villar and Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman,

The first day will focus on global trends, opportunities, and strategies to strengthen the Philippine tobacco sector’s growth in the global market. The second day will delve into the scope of the illicit tobacco problem in the region, strengthening regional cooperation, and intensifying the enforcement actions of the Philippine government.

“The summit aims to underscore the importance of the local tobacco industry in the economy, explore growth opportunities, and strengthen collaborative efforts to combat illicit tobacco trade,” NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez said.

“It will serve as a platform for stakeholders from government and industry to discuss challenges and strategies for industry growth and improved enforcement against this illicit trade,” she added.

Sanchez said the event will highlight policy measures, enforcement strategies, and potential collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders to address the issue effectively.

“The continuing proliferation of illegal tobacco sales in the local market is causing a decline in government revenue. This reduction in funds limits the resources available for essential public services, particularly universal health care. Moreover, proceeds from illegal tobacco sales are often linked to organized crimes, further threatening national security,” she said.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) estimated that the national government had incurred tobacco excise tax collection loss of up to P100 billion annually due to illicit trade.

Sanchez also noted that the illicit tobacco trade adversely impacts the livelihoods of 2.2 million Filipinos who are financially dependent on tobacco including more than 430,000 farmers, farm workers, and their family members.

To counter these concerns, she also underscored an urgent need for a multi-faceted approach against illicit trade that includes strengthening national policies, enhancing regional cooperation, improving enforcement mechanisms, and increasing public awareness.

The NTA launched the first-ever international tobacco summit on August 2- 3, 2023 to emphasize the discussion on the campaign against the proliferation of illicit tobacco trade and smuggling. ### (By Freddie Lazaro, DA-NTA)

Photo caption:  In this file photo, Attorney Rohbert A. Ambros, the manager of the Regulation Department of the NTA, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mercedes Vázquez of the International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA) answer inquiries in the panel session during the first-ever International Tobacco Agricultural Summit in Shangri – La at The Fort in Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Quezon City on August 2-3, 2023. ### (NTA photo)