Marcos to BoC, BIR: Boost drive vs tobacco, vape products
President Ferdinand Marcos poses with members of his Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the political party of Speaker Martin Romualdez at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue to ramp up their efforts against the smuggling of tobacco and vape products.
The chief executive issued the directive during the sixth Private Sector Advisory Council-Agriculture Sector Group meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday.
“You really have to beef them up and I think we’re doing that,” he said as he emphasized the need to protect the country’s tobacco industry.
“There will be [more efforts] with the Bureau of Customs and BIR so that we can improve performance with that regard,” he added.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said that his agency has intensified its crackdown on smuggled vape products. He said that the agency will implement a tax stamp system to determine those that are illicit.