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Advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines welcomed Caloocan City’s passage of an anti-illicit tobacco ordinance, calling it a major step to strengthen law enforcement against illicit and counterfeit tobacco products.
Caloocan City enacted Ordinance No. 1193, or the Anti-Illicit Tobacco Trade Ordinance of Caloocan City. It prohibits the manufacture, distribution, and sale in the city of cigarettes and other tobacco products that do not comply with national regulations.
The ordinance imposes administrative and criminal penalties against violators, including suspension and revocation of business permits, confiscation of illicit products, and possible closure of establishments for repeat offenses.
CitizenWatch convenor Orlando Oxales said the ordinance makes Caloocan the first local government unit in the National Capital Region to adopt a dedicated ordinance regulating illicit tobacco trade at the local level.
“It shows that LGUs can play a decisive role in protecting lawful businesses, supporting national enforcement efforts, and closing local enforcement gaps exploited by illicit traders,” Oxales said.
The ordinance includes provisions that strengthen accountability by extending potential liability to corporate officers, managers, and individuals directly involved in violations.
It mandates coordination among local authorities and national agencies, such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation, for inspections and enforcement operations.
Earlier this year, the Municipality of Mariveles in Bataan issued an executive order establishing a comprehensive anti-illicit trade program, while the Davao City Council has begun discussions on a proposed Anti-Illicit Trade Task Force and related ordinance.
“We are now seeing momentum at the LGU level,” Oxales said. “More local governments are realizing that illicit trade directly affects local revenues, legitimate businesses, and the integrity of governance itself.”
He added that local ordinances and executive measures can significantly strengthen national anti-smuggling efforts by allowing enforcement to occur closer to the ground level. —NB, GMA News
