Senators on Monday, April 22 urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to ramp up local production even after releasing Administrative Order No. 20 easing the rules on the importation of agricultural products.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said that while he supports the latest move by the President to curb the increasing prices of basic commodities, the Marcos administration should also ramp up local production.

Marcos had earlier released the administrative order in order to enhance food security by easing procedures related to the importation of agricultural products.

“I agree with the President but I would have preferred that more emphasis is given on local production than importation,” Escudero said in a statement.

As far as he is concerned, Escudero said importation should only be a temporary solution to the country’s needs for agricultural products such as pork and fishery products.

“True and genuine food security is based on domestic ability and supply to answer our needs with importation simply being a stop-gap or in the interim while we haven’t achieved food security yet in order to curb inflation of basic food staples,” the senator added.

Escudero also said he is confident Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel, Jr. would be able to address concerns of possible abuse when easing of administrative procedures and the removal of non-tariff barriers are imposed.

“I trust that Secretary Laurel will hold accountable whoever commits abuses as I know him to be a man of integrity and will not tolerate corruption,” he said.

AO 20 primarily directs the Department of Agriculture (DA) to address existing challenges and remove non-tariff barriers that have contributed to rising domestic prices of agricultural commodities.

Likewise, the Chief Executive, has ordered the DA, along with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or the Department of Finance (DOF), to ease, among others, the procedures and requirements “in the licensing of importers, minimize processing time of application for importation, and exempt licensed trades from submission of registration requirements.”

Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay said it is crucial for the government to first study and give appropriate direction to this policy based on the cost-benefit implications of granting relief to the importation of agricultural products.

“While we understand that these barriers often create unnecessary complexities and costs for our farmers and consumers alike, the DA must ensure transparency once administrative measures are eased to achieve a more open and equitable market atmosphere,” Binay said.

“By evaluating both costs and benefits, we can guarantee that any adjustments to import regulations align with our goals of realizing food security, and fostering a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector,” she added.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros also cautioned the government in implementing AO 20, saying that while many will benefit from the policy, it is not enough for all that that the country’s farmers and local businessmen are going through.

Hontiveros also said that even though the regulations and non-tariff barriers in the importation of agricultural products will be relaxed, it is still necessary to ensure the correct use of import permits.

“Kahit pa maibsan ang kuntsabahan ng mga backers at kasosyo sa pag-angkat, kailangan pa ring tiyakin na ligtas ang ating mga ihahahing ulam (Even if we can curb the connivance between backers and importing partners, we still need to make sure that our dishes are safe),” Hontiveros noted.

“Halimbawa na lang, hindi simpleng AO No. 20 lang ang susugpo sa ASF sa mga baboy (For example, a simple AO No. 20 can put a stop to the African Swine Fever),” she pointed out.

“Kahit pa maengganyo ang mas maraming negosyanteng makilahok sa agrikultura, may problema rin sa lokal na pamilihan. Halimbawa muli, mura ang landing cost sa mga pantalan ng galunggong, pero pagdating sa palengke malaki na ang patong. Mahalagang siyasatin ang sanhi nito (Even if more entrepreneurs are attracted to participate in agriculture, there is also a problem in the local market. For example again, the landing cost at the fish docks is cheap, but when it comes to the market, the cost is high. It is important to investigate its cause),” Hontiveros suggested.

And most importantly, Hontiveros said the government should make the necessary policy to impose the right tariff or tax on imports during harvest or abundant production to avoid wastage and dumping, which brings income losses to the country’s farmers, fishermen and those in the animal husbandry.