Kiko lauds decision to lower MAV on pork, raise tariffs

Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Friday welcomed the government’s revisions on the prevailing tariff and minimum access volume (MAV) for pork imports.

“Tagumpay ito ng ating sama-sama at tulong-tulong na pagbabantay. Nagpursigi tayo para marinig ang hinaing ng mga apektado ng ASF at ang sobra-sobrang pag-angkat ng baboy,” he said.

“Umalma ang industriya ng magbababoy dahil luging-lugi sila sa pagpapatupad ng EO 128. Matapos ang ilang pagdinig sa Senado kung saan nag-usap-usap ang lahat at na-present ang kanya-kanyang panig, naging malinaw kung ano ang dapat gawin: Suportahan ang lokal,” Pangilinan added.

Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 128 that dramatically reduced the tariff rates for pork importation in a bid to rapidly bring down the price of pork. An EO on increasing the MAV is also pending the President’s signature.

This, however, was met with severe criticisms from local hog raisers, who said that over-reliance on pork importation will kill the local industry that has already suffered losses of around 68 billion pesos due to ASF.

Under the economic team’s revised proposal, instead of the 5 percent tariff under EO 128 for in quota importation of pork, it will be increased to 10 percent during the first three months, and 15 percent for the fourth to 12th month.

For pork imports outside of quota, tariff will be increased to 20 percent from EO 128’s 15 percent for the first three months, and 25 percent for the fourth to 12th month.

Additionally, instead of increasing the current MAV of pork by 350,000 metric tons (MT) for a total of 404,000 MT, the DOF instead proposes to lower the addition to 200,000 MT for a total of 254,000 MT.

According to the economic team, this will bring down pork prices by 23.1 percent.

“Malapit na ito sa proposal ng ating mga magbababoy na wag masyadong babaan ang taripa at lakihan ang MAV,” Pangilinan said.

“The next step should be how to capacitate and support the local hog industry as they try to recover from ASF. Hindi sila dapat mapabayaan habang umaasa tayo sa pandagdag sa suplay mula sa importation,” he said.

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