Duterte approves move to cut rice tariffs, raise pork tariffs

By Prince Golez

Upon the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority Board, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. (EO) 135, reducing the most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff rates for rice to 35 percent from 40 percent rate for in-quota and 50 percent for out-quota for a period of one year.

The tariff reduction aims to “diversify the country’s market sources, augment rice supply, maintain prices affordable, and reduce pressures on inflation,” Malacañang said in a statement Saturday evening.

Duterte also issued EO 134 that further adjusts the MFN tariff rates for pork products in response to the plight of concerned sectors and stakeholders, including the local hog industry.

To recall, EO 128 temporarily reduced the tariff rates for pork meat for a period one year at a graduated basis, from 30 percent (in-quota) and 40 percent (out-quota) to 5 percent (in-quota) and 15 percent (out-quota) for the first three months, and 10 percent (in-quota) and 20 percent (out-quota) from the fourth to the 12th month.

With the issuance of EO 134, the reduced tariff rates under EO 128 will be increased to 10 percent (in-quota) and 20 percent (out-quota) for the first three months, and 15 percent (in-quota) and 25 percent (out-quota) from the 4th to the 12th month.

“Given the continuing spread of African Swine Fever and its adverse effects, the adjusted tariff rates aim to strike a balance between the objective of making pork products available and affordable, and the concerns of all stakeholders especially the recovery of the local hog industry,” the statement furthered.

On Monday, Duterte signed EO 133, raising the minimum access volume for pork imports to 254,210 metric tons (MT) from the current 54,210 MT to “immediately address the current supply gap in pork meat, to provide consumers with adequate and affordable food, and to lower inflation.”

He also placed the entire Philippines under a year-long state of calamity due to the African swine fever outbreak.

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