The National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) said Friday it booked in 2023 a record haul of counterfeit goods amounting to P26.86 billion, up by 7.8 percent from the previous record of P24.9 billion registered in 2021.
Seized fraudulent items by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) comprised the biggest of haul at 94 percent in 2023 amounting to about P23.2 billion, followed National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) with a haul worth P1.2 billion; the Philippine National Police (PNP) with P285.93 million; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with P1.58 million; and the Optical Media Board (OMB), P221,500.
NCIPR seized P9.5 billion of fake and counterfeit good in 2022, nearly 200 percent lower than the goods seized last year.
NCIPR acting chair and IP Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) director-general Rowel Barba said that based on previous NCIPR meetings, most of the BOC’s seizures consisted of apparel, while the majority of the PNP’s haul were cigarettes taken from warehouses in various provinces.
He commended the NCIPR for helping prevent counterfeit goods from reaching the hands of consumers.
The IP Committee conducted 3,087 enforcement operations in 2023, mobilized through general law enforcement agency operations, inspections, search warrants and warrants of seizure and detention.
The total marks an increase from 2,962 operations logged through inspections and search warrants in 2022.
“With more aggressive and strategic efforts, coupled with its swift coordination with the team and with IP rights holders, the NCIPR members were able to ensure the success of its seizure operations,” Barba said.
Trade Secretary and NCIPR chair Alfredo Pascual highlighted the crucial role of NCIPR in the country’s economic progress.
“By eliminating illegal goods like counterfeits, markets operate fairly and safely, boosting consumer confidence and investor trust. Our zero-tolerance for illegal acts against IP infringement safeguards business creativity and innovation,” he said.
He urged consumers to stop patronizing counterfeit good, instead support locally made products to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) move up the value chain.
“Counterfeit products do not only harm our economy but also pose serious health risks, particularly with essentials like food, medicines and cosmetics. I appeal to consumers to turn away from these fakes and choose genuine, locally-made products, ensuring their hard-earned money brings real value and supports our community,” Pascual said.