Dar: Duterte’s EO that lowers tariff on pork imports already implemented

Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 128, which lowers the tariff rate on imported pork, is already being implemented.

“The EO 128 is now in effect and that continues to be implemented by us. Whatever are needed in terms of say import clearances being requested by importers, the Bureau of Animal Industry is now issuing said import clearances,” Dar said during a joint meeting of the House Committees on Agriculture and Food and the Trade and Industry.

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Duterte issued Executive Order 128 on April 7 where the 30 percent import  within the import quota or minimum access volume (MAV) will be one year reduced to 5 percent, while the 40 percent tax beyond the MAV will be only 15 percent.

The DA chief assured the public that the arrival of imported pork would be “properly managed.”

Dar also reiterated that the measure would not kill the local hog industry in the country.

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“Our ultimate goal is really the imports will lower the prices of pork in the market and tame inflation,” Dar said.

Duterte’s EO that lowers tariff on pork imports already implemented: Dar

On Monday, more members of Congress supported the joint resolution seeking for the termination of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 128 that was supposed to lower the  rate for imported pork.

In total, 39 solons have signed the resolution.

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According to House Joint Resolution 37, tariff reduction, as well as the increased minimum access volume of pork imports, would further hurt the local pork industry and would also undermine the local production and food security of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Congress is free to revoke Executive Order (EO) 128.

“Nakikinig naman ang Presidente. Nasa Saligang Batas na ang primary jurisdiction ng taripa ay nasa Kongreso. Kung magdedesisyon ang Senado at Kamara na bawiin iyong EO, saklaw po ‘yan ng kapangyarihan ng Kongreso,” Roque said.

(The President listens. The Constitution provides that Congress has the primary jurisdiction of tariffs. If the Senate and the House of Representatives move to revoke the EO, that is within their authority.)

“Rerespetuhin po ‘yan ng Presidente,” he added.

(The President will respect that.)