The meeting outlined stricter regulatory and tax enforcement strategies in response to the challenges posed by tobacco and vape product smuggling. These include implementing new tax measures, enhancing monitoring, and enforcing stricter compliance protocols to curb illegal trade and ensure public safety.

Irwin Lee, President and CEO of Universal Robina Corporation and a member of PSAC-Agri, expressed optimism about the meeting’s outcomes, stating, “Our discussions with President Marcos Jr. today mark a significant step towards strengthening our agricultural sector. We are committed to the swift implementation of these strategies to ensure they bring substantial benefits to our agricultural community and bolster the nation’s economy.”

The PSAC-Agri remains dedicated to collaborating closely with the government to monitor the implementation of these recommendations and ensure that they effectively contribute to Philippine agriculture’s resilience and competitiveness.