Palace: Give EO on lower pork tariffs a chance

MANILA, Philippines, April 22 ------ Malacañang yesterday urged senators to give the executive order that lowered the tariffs on pork imports a chance, expressing willingness to revisit the policy in two months to determine if its desired outcomes have been attained. “President Duterte is asking the esteemed members of the Senate to give Executive Order No. 128 a chance and consider its intended effects, which include addressing the shortage in swine meat, stabilizing the price of pork meat and minimizing inflation rate,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

Roque reiterated that EO 128 aims to stabilize pork prices and ensure enough supply of meat. “Let us revisit the EO in two months to assess whether the aforesaid intended effects have been realized/met,” he added. Under the order, the tariff rate for imported pork will be five percent for the first three months, ten percent for the 4th to 12th month and 30 percent after the 12th month. The tariff rates for out-quota pork imports will be 15 percent for the first three months, 20 percent for the 4th to 12th month and 40 percent after the 12th month.

Senate and House lawmakers filed resolutions seeking to revoke the EO, stating that tariff cuts would harm the local hog industry and result in P3.6 billion in foregone state revenues. Last Tuesday, Duterte stood by his decision to approve the lower tariffs, noting that he can easily withdraw the EO if pork prices go down.

Source: philstar.com