DUTERTE STILL STUDYING PORK MAV-TARIFF PROPOSALS

PRESIDENT Duterte is still considering adjusting the minimum access volume (MAV) and tariff for pork despite concerns raised by lawmakers it could be abused by some groups and kill the local hog industry.

In an online press briefing on Thursday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte is still waiting for the recommendations of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other concerned agencies to address the shortage of pork supply in the country.

“The President has yet to decide [on the proposals],” Roque said.

However, he noted the President would still want to get information on the exposé in the Senate earlier this week, adding a new dimension to the crisis spawned by the ravages of African Swine Fever (ASF) on the hog industry, reducing pork supply and causing price spikes. This had led the DA to recommend the twin moves of raising MAV while reducing tariffs.

Senator Panfilo Lacson had claimed on Monday some people are expected to earn P5 to P7 in kickback per kilogram of imported pork.

He made the allegation before the Senate adopted a resolution urging the President to junk the twin proposal of DA to cut tariffs on imported pork, while increasing MAV for imports.

“The President, I verified this, would like to know more about this latest controversy,” Roque said.

To also ensure sufficient supply of pork, the DA proposed the declaration of a state of national emergency to stop the spread of ASF through the implementation of biosecurity measures and appropriation of funds.

On Thursday, the Office of the Executive Secretary confirmed it received the copy of the draft proclamation of DA to be considered by the President.