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Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Friday, May 7, attributed to the vigilance of stakeholders the government’s decision to revise its pork importation policy.

After weeks of disagreement on pork imports, the Senate and the President’s economic team, led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, decided to lower the import tariff cut proposed under Executive Order (EO) 128 and adjust the volume of pork imports allowed to enter the Philippines under minimum access volume (MAV).

Senators and government economic managers have finally reached a compromise on the adjustment of tariff rates and volume for the importation of pork.

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.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar on Tuesday, April 27, sought a Senate-Malacañang compromise on a controversial presidential order increasing a minimum access value (MAV) of and reducing tariff rates on pork imports.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez on Tuesday, April 27, defended their recommendation to President Duterte to sign Executive Order 128, which reduces tariff on the importation of pork products.

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.

Consumers are urged to keep on patronizing local pork amid the issuance of Executive Order (EO) 128, which will bring down the tariff on pork imports and will pave the way for the entry of more imported pork into the Philippines.