Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar admitted Monday, May 10 that the agency "can't please everyone" even as he noted the huge challenges that the local hog industry has faced as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the African Swine Flu (ASF) problem....
Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Friday, May 7, attributed to the vigilance of stakeholders the government's decision to revise its pork importation policy. Senator Francis Pangilinan (Senate of the Philippines/MANILA BULLETIN File Photo) “Tagumpay ito ng ating sama-sama at tulong-tulong na...
Despite a 12-month tariff cut imposed on pork, a group of local meat importers began lobbying for a much longer period wherein the pork import tariff rate is kept at 15 percent from the original 40 percent until 2025. A customer pays for pork at a roadside market stall in Mandaluyong City, Manila,...
The government’s failure to stop smuggled pork imports has put the country at more risk of contracting new variants of African Swine Fever (ASF) that began to cause further damage in China, the world’s largest pork-producing country....
Hog raisers and agriculture stakeholders have thrown their support for the adoption of House Joint Resolution No. 37 calling for the termination of Executive Order No. 128 issued by President Duterte to temkporarily reduce import tariffs on pork. At least 15 House members have signed HJR 37 but...
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday, April 27, expressed belief that the government can maintain the tariff rates and adjust the minimum access volume (MAV) in the importation of pork to more reasonable levels. (MANILA BULLETIN File photo/Keith Bacongco) At the Senate Committee of the...
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar believes that the local agriculture sector has managed to survive its recent hardships by grabbing the various opportunities for innovation that has come its way. DA Secretary William Dar (Photo courtesy of DA) Dar said the country’s...
A second wave of the African swine fever (ASF) could hit the Philippines if the government continues the importation of pork products, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Monday, April 26. Senator Risa Hontiveros (Senate PRIB/MANILA BULLETIN File photo) Like the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,...
Amid the prevalence of African Swine Fever (ASF), state-run lender Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has doubled its credit commitment to the local swine industry from P15 billion to P30 billion. This, according to the bank, will help local pork producers and feed millers to repopulate and...
The Duterte administration’s chief economic manager has called on lawmakers to support temporary increased in pork imports at lower tariff rates to address the scarcity in the domestic supply of hog meat. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said the lower import tariffs and higher the...
Meat prices continued to rise despite the recent 150 percent surge in pork import volume, casting doubt on the government’s recent move to bring down tariffs on imported pork. A customer pays for pork at a roadside market stall in Mandaluyong City, Manila, the Philippines. (Bloomberg file) “The...
It may have taken some time since the alleged kickback scheme in pork importation was exposed, but Agriculture Secretary William Dar is more certain now that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has nothing to do with this so-called tongpats scandal. During a recent senate hearing, Dar denied any...
