Names: Date: May 4, 2024

Mangale, Yuki A. Subject: Border control and security

Silva, Desiree Section: 18025

Pantar, Sammer Program: Customs Administration

Pundato, Raymon

National Tobacco Administration

Background
The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) was created through Executive

Order (EO) 245 issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino on July 24, 1987. It

has become the sole government body that oversees and regulates the growth

and development of the industry, and to look after the welfare of marginalized

farmers.
Mandates

Under its charter, the NTA, as the sole tobacco agency, was given two

mandates, namely:

1. Improve the economic and living conditions and raise the quality of life of the

tobacco farmers including those who depend upon the industry for their

livelihood; and

2. Promote the balanced and integrated growth and development of the

tobacco industry to help make agriculture a solid base for industrialization.

Additional Mandate: In addition, Section 33 of Republic Act No. 9211, entitled,

Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, mandates the NTA to implement the following

programs and projects:

1. Tobacco Growers Assistance Program to support financially the NTA

registered tobacco farmers who may be displaced due to the

implementation of the said RA or has voluntarily ceased planting

tobacco;

2. Promote Tobacco Growers Cooperative Program to assist tobacco

farmers in developing alternative farming systems, plant alternative crops

and other livelihood projects;

3. National Tobacco Free Public Education Program to provide scholarship

for dependents of tobacco farmers in collaboration with state colleges

and universities;
 4. Research and Development Program to undertake studies concerning

technologies and methods to reduce the risk of dependence on or injury

from tobacco product usage and exposure and development of

alternative uses of tobacco and similar research programs.

Powers and Functions

● To effectively pursue the aforementioned mandates, the NTA has been

entrusted with the powers and functions to:

Promulgate and enforce rules and regulations on the production,

standardization, classification, grading and trading of tobacco products

as may be necessary to attain its purposes and objectives;

● Conduct agricultural and industrial research and establish, operate and

maintain research stations;

● Accept and receive financial and other support from private and other

sources for the development and promotion of the Philippine tobacco

industry;

● Provide incentives and other financial assistance to tobacco growers and

associations, directly or in conjunction with accredited financial

institutions; and

● Impose administrative sanctions for violations of the rules and regulations

issued by the NTA.

Role in Border Control and Security

The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) may have a role in border control

and security related to tobacco products, particularly in monitoring and

regulating the importation and exportation of tobacco goods. Some functions

of the NTA in border control and security may include:

1. Regulating Import and Export: The NTA may work with customs authorities

to regulate the import and export of tobacco products. This involves

ensuring that imported tobacco products comply with relevant

regulations and that exported products meet international standards.

2. Enforcing Taxation and Tariffs: The NTA may collaborate with customs

agencies to enforce taxation and tariffs on imported and exported

tobacco products. This helps prevent smuggling and ensures that

appropriate taxes are collected, contributing to government revenue.

3. Preventing Illicit Trade: The NTA may be involved in efforts to combat illicit

trade in tobacco products, which can include smuggling, counterfeiting,

and other illegal activities. This may involve cooperation with law

enforcement agencies to detect and prosecute offenders.

4. Monitoring Compliance: The NTA may monitor compliance with domestic

regulations and international agreements related to tobacco trade. This

includes ensuring that importers and exporters adhere to licensing

requirements, labeling regulations, and other legal obligations.

5. Information Sharing and Cooperation: The NTA may exchange information

and collaborate with international organizations, neighboring countries,

and relevant stakeholders to enhance border control and security

measures related to tobacco trade. This can involve sharing intelligence,

best practices, and capacity-building initiatives.

The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is responsible for monitoring issues

such as tobacco import and export limits and enforcing tax and tariff

compliance. They also try to put an end to illicit operations including the sale of

counterfeit tobacco goods and smuggling. This implies that they collaborate

closely with customs officers and other organizations to ensure that the tobacco

trade is safe and compliant in all respects. To ensure that these regulations are

obeyed, they collaborate and exchange information with other nations and

organizations.

DTI-Bureau of Import Services

Background
The DTI-Bureau of Import Services (BIS) is an essential component of the

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines. Its primary objective is

to regulate and facilitate the importation of goods into the country while

ensuring compliance with trade regulations and promoting fair trade practices.

THE BIS MANDATE

The Bureau of Import Services (BIS) is mandated to undertake activities related

to the implementation of legislations which provide relief and assistance to

Philippine industries confronted by trade remedy actions, disseminate timely and

accurate information on imports to stakeholders and adopt sound import

policies, programs and guidelines.

Role in Border Control and Security

The Bureau of Import Services (BIS) typically plays a significant role in border

control and security measures related to the importation of goods. Here are

some functions it may undertake in this regard:

1. Customs Oversight: BIS works closely with customs authorities to monitor

goods entering the country through various ports of entry. This includes

verifying documentation, inspecting shipments, and ensuring compliance

with import regulations.

2. Tariff Enforcement: BIS enforces tariffs and import duties on goods entering

the country, which helps regulate trade and generate revenue for the
 government. This involves classifying imported goods correctly and

assessing the appropriate tariffs and taxes.

3. Regulatory Compliance: BIS ensures that imported goods comply with

national regulations, standards, and requirements. This may involve

inspecting products for safety, quality, and compliance with health,

environmental, or other regulatory standards.

4. Controlled Substance Monitoring: BIS may be involved in monitoring the

importation of controlled substances, such as drugs, chemicals, or

biological materials, to prevent illicit trafficking and ensure compliance

with relevant laws and regulations.

5. Border Security Coordination: BIS collaborates with other border control

agencies, such as customs, immigration, and law enforcement, to

enhance border security measures. This includes sharing information,

conducting joint operations, and coordinating efforts to address potential

security threats.

6. Trade Intelligence: BIS gathers and analyzes intelligence on import trends,

smuggling activities, and other security-related concerns to identify

potential risks and vulnerabilities at the border. This information helps

inform decision-making and strategic planning to enhance border

security measures.

7. Technology and Infrastructure: BIS may invest in technology and

infrastructure improvements at border checkpoints to enhance security

screening processes, such as X-ray scanners, cargo inspection systems,

and biometric identification tools.

 DTI-Strategic Trade Management

Office

Background
Strategic Trade Management Office - a bureau under the administrative

supervision of the Department of Trade and Industry that serves as the executive

and technical agency of the national government for the establishment of the

management systems for the trade in strategic goods.

The STMO, or the Strategic Trade Management Office, was created in 2017 as a

bureau under the administrative supervision of the Department of Trade and

Industry (DTI). The DTI-STMO is tasked to serve as the executive and technical

agency of the national government for the establishment of the management

systems for the trade in strategic goods pursuant to the Act.

Strategic trade is the control of the export, import, international transit, and

transhipment of certain commodities to certain recipients or for certain end-

uses/end-users and in certain circumstances.

MANDATE

The STMO is the executive and technical agency of the national government for

the establishment of the management systems for the trade in strategic goods.

Under Section 9 of the STMA, the STMO shall have the following powers and

functions:

1. Implement strategies, policies and guidelines formulated by the NSC-

STMCom and develop, evaluate, and monitor corresponding programs

and activities;
2. Develop and maintain the register and carry out registration activities to

include registration, registration with conditions, denial of registration,

modification, suspension, revelation or annulment of registration;

3. Establish and maintain a comprehensive database information system on

strategic goods and on persons engaged in the trade of strategic goods

and the provision of related services;

4. Issue or deny issuance of authorizations for the trade of strategic goods

and the provision of related services;

5. Modify, condition, limit, suspend, revoke, or annual authorizations that

have been issued as circumstances warrant in consultation with the NSC-

STMCom;

6. Issue, modify, suspend and revoke governmental end-use assurances in

consultation with the NSC-STMCom;

7. Ensure and operate end-use/end-user controls and establish compliance

checks and exercise authority to enter premises for such purposes;

8. Issue warning letters and orders for corrective action;

9. Conduct investigation into violations committed under this Act;

10. Undertake the enforcement of the provisions of this Act in cooperation

with other agencies;

11. Coordinate, cooperate, provide assistance and share information with

the ATC and other departments/agencies in the implementation of this

Act;

12. Conduct capacity building and training of personnel for the effective

implementation of this Act;

 13. Coordinate with the industry and the public regarding their obligations

under this Act;

14. Encourage and facilitate international cooperation, including the

exchange of assistance such as information on matters regarding the

implementation and application of this Act or its implementing rules and

regulations (IRR); and

15. Perform such other tasks and functions necessary to effectively cany out

the provisions of this Act.

Role in Border Control and Security

The STMA/STMO aims to regulate the export, import, transit and transshipment,

re-export and reassignment of strategic goods, software and technology and

the provision of related services to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass

destruction.

The Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO) typically plays a crucial role in

border control and security measures related to the movement of strategic

goods, technologies, and materials. Here are some functions it may undertake

in this regard:

1. Export Control Regulations: STMO oversees the implementation of export

control regulations aimed at preventing the unauthorized export of

strategic goods, technologies, and materials that could pose risks to

national security, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, or other

sensitive concerns.
2. Licensing and Authorization: STMO issues licenses or authorizations for the

export of strategic goods and technologies, ensuring that exporters

comply with legal requirements and obtain government approval before

shipping controlled items abroad.

3. Risk Assessment and Screening: STMO conducts risk assessments and

screening processes to identify potential risks associated with export

transactions, including the end-users, intended end-uses, and destinations

of strategic goods and technologies.

4. Compliance Monitoring: STMO monitors compliance with export control

regulations by conducting audits, inspections, and investigations to verify

that exporters adhere to licensing conditions, reporting requirements, and

other regulatory obligations.

5. Technology Transfer Oversight: STMO monitors and regulates the transfer

of sensitive technologies, technical data, and know-how to foreign parties

to prevent unauthorized proliferation or diversion to unauthorized end-

users or end-uses.

6. International Cooperation: STMO collaborates with foreign governments,

international organizations, and industry stakeholders to enhance

international cooperation on export control and border security issues,

including information sharing, capacity-building, and joint enforcement

efforts.

7. Intelligence Analysis: STMO collects and analyzes intelligence on

proliferation risks, illicit trafficking activities, and emerging threats related

to strategic trade to inform policy decisions, risk assessments, and

enforcement strategies.
8. Trade Compliance Training: STMO provides training and outreach

programs to exporters, customs officials, and other stakeholders to raise

awareness of export control regulations, promote best practices, and

enhance compliance with legal requirements.