Baguio creates task force to monitor sale of imported agricultural crops

BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong created a city task force to monitor the sale of imported agricultural crops in Baguio and ensure compliance with national importation, sanitary and phytosanitary regulations.

In a statement on Friday, Nov. 6, the Baguio Public Information Office said Magalong issued Executive Order No. 177, series of 2026, on Wednesday, creating the Baguio Imported Agricultural Crop Commodities Compliance and Monitoring (BIACOMM) Task Force.

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The task force will be chaired by the mayor, with the head of the City Council’s committee on market, trade, commerce and agriculture as vice-chairperson and the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) chief as action officer.

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Its members include representatives from various city government offices, the Baguio City Police Office, Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), farmers’ cooperatives and associations, and the Highly Urbanized City Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

Under the order, the task force will conduct monthly or as-needed inspections of public and private markets, trading centers, warehouses, satellite markets and other establishments selling imported agricultural crops. It will also verify compliance with applicable regulations and document imported commodities being sold in the city.

The order covers imported fruits, vegetables, root crops, tubers, legumes, grains, herbs, spices, mushrooms and other plant products regulated by the BPI. It excludes meat, poultry, livestock products, fish and fishery products, which are covered by separate laws and regulations.

Sellers, traders, wholesalers, retailers and vendors are also required to clearly identify imported agricultural commodities and distinguish them from locally produced products through proper labels, signage or display identification.

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Suspected cases of agricultural smuggling, customs violations, falsification of documents, misrepresentation of product origin and food safety concerns will be documented and referred to the appropriate national government agencies for investigation and appropriate action.

The CVAO, through its Agriculture Division, will serve as the task force’s technical secretariat and provide administrative, technical and logistical support for its implementation.