DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez | DTI Photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other agencies now holds more authority to adopt measures that could lower the price of basic goods through the memorandum and administrative orders signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Under the Memorandum Order No. 26, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the DTI are directed to adopt measures to reduce the gap between farm gate prices and retail prices of agricultural products such as setting up public outlets and cold storages where poultry producers can directly sell their products to consumers.
DTI said helping farmers and manufacturers directly deliver their products to retail outlets can help lower prices and remove intermediary layers.
The agency cites as an example the prices of chicken and pork that may be lowered by P20 per kilogram while canned goods and vegetables by one to two pesos.
“Yung producers ng manok, ng gulay, baboy mga agricultural products diretso na sa isang outlet para sa mga consumers na mas accesible sa kanila wala na masyadong trade layers yung mga patong na sinasabi natin,” said DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo.
DTI also welcomed the signing of Administrative Order No. 13 which removes non-tariff barriers and streamlines administrative procedures on the importation of agricultural products such as rice and meat.
“Kapag nabawasan ang procedure mababawasan ang cost malaki ang maitutulong na mapababa ang presyo,” said Castelo.
DTI is also given the power to create a surveillance team together with the Philippine National Police to monitor agricultural products and curb hoarding practices.
The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Bureau of Fisheries were also authorized by the President to import additional rice and fish supply when necessary even if it is beyond the minimum access volume.
And to lower the import cost, DTI and DA are ordered to improve logistics, transport, storage and distribution of agriculture and fishery products under the Memorandum Order No. 27.
The orders of the president, aim at taming the country’s inflation, are effective immediately. — Mon Jocson | UNTV News & Rescue
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