Duterte stands by executive order lowering pork tariff rates

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte stood by the recommendation of his economic managers to lower tariff rates for imported pork meat, Malacañang said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the clarification after Duterte in his televised speech yesterday said he understands the point of senators in pushing for the revocation of Executive Order No. 128 reducing the tariff of imported pork.

The Chief Executive, however, noted that his economic managers favored the measure to stabilize the supply and prices of pork in local markets.

“Pinanindigan na po ni presidente yung desisyon ng kanyang mga economic managers at ng Department of Agriculture na magpapasok ng 400,000 metric tons (of pork) sa pamamagitan ng (minimum access volume) sa mas mababang taripa,” Roque said during his televised briefing.

“Sabi ng presidente, ito po ay, number one, para maibsan ang kakulangan ng suplay na naging dahilan kung bakit naging napakamahal ng baboy sa palengke. At pangalawa, ito ay temporary kung hindi pa nare-repopulate ng mga local growers yung kanilang mga alaga sa ating bayan,” according to him.

“Importante na maibaba sa lalong mabilis na panahon ang presyo ng baboy kasi ito po’y nagco-contribute sa mataas na inflation rate,” he added.

Last week, the Senate adopted a joint resolution urging Duterte to withdraw his EO, saying it will kill the local hog industry, not the African swine fever.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)