MANILA, Philippines – Senators and government economic managers have agreed to propose an amendment to the Executive Order 128 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
Based on what both sides have agreed upon, import tariffs on in-quota on pork will be reduced to 15% provided it is within the minimum access volume (MAV) on the first three months of implementation.
After three months, it will be increased to 20% for the succeeding months.
Meanwhile, the initial recommendation of 400,000 metric tons for minimum access volume (MAV) will be reduced to 254, 000 metric tons.
Sotto believes this will benefit the economy, the local hog raisers and most importantly, the consumers.
“The swine industry has many allied industries like corn, crops, transportation. Kaya hindi porke hindi ka kumakain ng pork ay wala kang kinalaman dito. May kinalaman ka dito kapag tinamaan ka ng inflation na mabigat,” Sotto said.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee of the Whole will soon release its committee report on the three hearings they conducted.
The reports are expected to contain recommendations on the possible amendments in EO 128 to prevent technical smuggling of pork imports and to clarify the role of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Sevice (NMIS) for that matter.
“The committee report will contain the content of the proceedings and what we feel should be legislated or if not, the executive department should work on,” Sotto said.
Sotto added that the Senate should be informed right away once the new EO is released. MNP (with reports from Harlene Delgado)
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