Duterte’s AO removes non-tariff barriers to agri importation

AMID soaring prices of basic goods and prime commodities, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Administrative Order (AO) 13, removing non-tariff barriers and streamlining administrative procedures on the importation of agricultural products.

Under AO 13, inked on September 21, Duterte emphasized the “urgent need” to tame price spikes of basic agricultural commodities, in a bid to “address the shortfall on supply and ensure stable prices of agricultural products in the local markets.”

Duterte said the AO would take effect “immediately.”

“Non-tariff barriers and certain administrative constraints, procedures and fees unduly add to the costs of importation and limit supply, which in turn, push up the prices of agricultural commodities to the detriment of Filipino consumers, especially the poor,” AO 13 read.

Non-tariff barriers, otherwise known as nontariff measures, are restrictions to imports or exports through means other than the imposition of tariffs. These take the form of import quotas, import permits, santiary and phyto-sanitary measures, and product standards, among others.

The AO effectively streamlined procedures and requirements in the accreditation of importers and minimize the processing time of applications for importation.

It also exempted traders who already have accreditation in registration requirements.

Duterte’s AO 13 also ordered the importation of certain agricultural products beyond their authorized minimum access volume. If applicable, fees would also be reduced or removed to ensure the sufficient supply of agricultural products in the market at more affordable prices.

It also sought to temporarily allow direct importation by sugar-using industries to lower input cost, “as may be necessary” and “subject to rasonable regulations.”

Through AO 13, the President directed the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, currently chaired by Agirculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, to approve additional rice importation beyond the MAV commitment specified under Executive Order (EO) 23.

EO 23, which was signed by Duterte on April 27 last year, specified the MAV commitments of 805,200 metric tons on rice.

Duterte also tasked the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Indsutry (DTI) to take “concrete” measures to improve logistics, transport, distribution and storage of agricultural products to reduce input costs.