DUTERTE: EO LOWERING PORK TARIFF TEMPORARY

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said his order lowering tariffs for pork imports is only a temporary measure and he can recall it once supply has stabilized.

Some lawmakers have called for the revocation of Executive Order (EO) 128 saying it would kill the local hog industry.

The EO lowers the tariff rates of pork imports within the minimum access volume quota to five percent in the first three months to 10 percent in the succeeding nine months. The order also lowers the tariff rates on out-of-quota pork imports to 15 percent in the first three months to 20 percent in the succeeding nine months.

Duterte said he understands the sentiments of the legislators because they want to protect local pork traders but he said the economic managers believe lowering tariffs is the right thing to do to address high pork prices.

“I understand where the senators come from. There is also the domestic supply which they intend to protect,” he said.

“We can always withdraw the EO that I signed. Madali lang naman ‘yan. It’s just a temporary measure to bring down the prices,” he added.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar assured the public the measure will not kill the local hog industry.

In his press briefing on Tuesday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the previous tariff rates will be implemented once the pork supply becomes sufficient.

“Pag dumami na po ang supply, pag tayo ay nakabawi na po, ibabalik naman po natin ang dating taripa (If the pork supply becomes sufficient, we will implement the old tariff rates),” he said.