The Davao City Council is stepping up efforts to curb the spread of illicit and counterfeit cigarettes and e-cigarettes by creating a dedicated Anti-Illicit Trade Task Force and passing a more comprehensive ordinance to address the issue.
The proposed measure, described as a key governance initiative aligned with the administration of Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, was tackled during the recent second joint committee hearing of the Committees on Trade and Industry and Health, chaired by Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz and Councilor Potpot Villafuerte, respectively.
The discussions stemmed from a privilege speech by Councilor Rachel P. Zozobrado, who called for an inquiry into the extent and impact of illegal tobacco products in the city.
“This is about protecting what Davao stands for. We have built a reputation as a leader in disciplined, smoke-free governance. But that reputation is at risk if illicit products continue to circulate unchecked,” Zozobrado said.
The hearing was presided over by Dalodo-Ortiz and Villafuerte and was attended by representatives from national agencies, including the Bureau of Customs (BoC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Trade and Industry 11 (DTI 11), and Food and Drug Administration-Davao (FDA-Davao), along with the city’s Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) and the Business Bureau.
The hearing was also attended by industry representatives Atty. Mario Zinampan of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and Jerel Palomata of PMFTC, who offered insights on enforcement challenges and regulatory gaps.
Zinampan underscored the need for sustained inter-agency coordination, noting that enforcement alone is not enough without strong legal follow-through.
He said that without stronger case build-up and prosecution, enforcement efforts risk falling short of their intended impact.
Council members and stakeholders voiced broad support for establishing a multi-agency Anti-Illicit Trade Task Force, seen as a crucial mechanism to tighten enforcement and coordination.
Dalodo-Ortiz stressed that enforcement should not stop at confiscation.
“Coordination is critical, but so is follow-through,” she said. “We need to ensure that cases are properly built and prosecuted, not just intercepted,” she said.
The councilors also pointed out that illicit tobacco products tend to disproportionately affect vulnerable sectors, particularly the youth and low-income communities, due to their lower cost and easy accessibility.
The City Council is aiming to position Davao as the first local government unit to adopt a “truly comprehensive” Anti-Illicit Trade Ordinance, reinforcing its reputation as a model for local governance and regulatory standards.
Dalodo-Ortiz said her committee continues to drive consultations with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and other sectors to ensure the proposed ordinance is both practical and enforceable.
She said her committee has called on concerned groups to submit position papers to help shape an evidence-based policy.
Dalodo-Ortiz emphasized that inclusivity and consultation remain central to the legislative process as discussions continue.
The initiative forms part of the broader push of the Duterte administration in Davao to strengthen governance through discipline, accountability, and improved institutional coordination.
Zozobrado said the proposed ordinance is intended to bridge persistent gaps between policy and enforcement.
“Davao is respected because Mayor Duterte makes sure that the rules are clear and consistently enforced. But we must also ensure that our systems can keep pace with evolving threats like illicit trade. This ordinance is about closing that gap,” Zozobrado said.
