Go commends Duterte for modifying pork tariff rates

Senator Bong Go on Tuesday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for issuing Executive Order 134 on May 15 which modified the reduced tariff rates on fresh, chilled or frozen meat of pork or swine, in response to the plight of affected local hog producers and concerns of several legislators.

“Malaki din ang maitutulong nito sa ating local hog producers. Marami sa kanila ang nawalan ng kabuhayan dahil sa ASF. Gawin natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para pagaanin ang pinapasan nila,” Go said.

Previously, President Rodrigo Duterte signed EO 128, which temporarily reduced the rates of import duty on imported pork products to address the current pork supply shortage, stabilize prices of pork meat, and minimize upward pressures on inflation.

The measure, however, was met with concerns from both Houses of Congress and farmers’ associations claiming that the measure would severely affect the local hog industry.

In this regard, Go helped in bridging the executive and legislative branches of the government to arrive at a mutually acceptable pork import tariff rates.

“Nag-meet halfway ang Congress at ang ating economic managers. Mahalaga ito dahil gusto nating mabigyan ng solusyon ang mataas pa ring presyo ng karne at ang pagprotekta sa ating local industry,” said Go.

“Maingat lang na binabalanse natin ang pangangailangan na mas murang presyo ng karne, lalo na na maraming pamilya ang apektado ng pandemya, at ang pangangailangan na protektahan din natin ang ating local farmers at kanilang kabuhayan,” he added.

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