NPCC meeting to put 'special focus' on DA memo vs. importation of galunggong, others

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija — An inter-agency group mandated to monitor and recommend measures to stabilize pricing will convene this month to discuss issues including the suspension of the importation of galunggong (round scad), mackerel, and bonito.

An official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which chairs the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), said the regular meeting will put “special focus” on Department of Agriculture's Memorandum Order No. 14, which some manufacturers warned may cause a price hike on canned sardines due to possible fish supply decrease. 

“As you know we control, we manage the NPCC, ‘yung sa SRP (suggested retail price). ‘Yung mga manufacturers na kasama sa NPCC list natin, regular nating mini-meet ‘yan to discuss kung may mga price increase sila na proposals, if they have issues when it comes to supply and demand. That’s the venue where we start the discussion,” DTI Undersecretary Jose Edgardo Sunico told reporters in an ambush interview at the sidelines of the Food Security Cluster Workshop here. 

(As you know the NPCC manages the SRP. We regularly meet with manufacturers under the NPCC list to discuss their proposals for price increases and issues on supply and demand. That’s the venue where we start the discussion.)

“Siguro ngayon, may special focus on this one… I’m sure that will be raised,” added Sunico. 

(Maybe we’ll put a special focus on this one. I’m sure this issue will be raised.)

On April 1, the DA issued Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 14 suspending the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances of galunggong, mackerel, and bonito after receiving reports that these fish imported for canning, processing, or institutional buyers are being diverted to wet markets.

Importation of mackerel for canning purposes, however, may be allowed provided that the volume shall be based on the product sales, subject to value added tax (VAT), from the previous year with an additional 10% of the said sales for buffer.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier said at least 90,000 metric tons (MT) to 100,000 MT of round scad, mackerel, and bonito are diverted every year.

Tiu Laurel also said the DA will also conduct an investigation on the illegal diversion of fish suppy.

Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel allayed fears of an association of canned manufacturers in relation to fish supply depletion. 

“I do not believe yung sinasabi nila. Basically, ang nakalagay po sa aking DAO, hindi naman sila mawawalan ng kanilang canned mackerel eh. Ang nakalagay, for the canners, they can still import the same amount pero may babasihan na ang VAT sales nila,”  Tiu Laurel said in a public briefing on Thursday. 

(I do not believe what they were saying. The DAO states that they will still be allowed to import the same amount they were importing but their VAT sales will now have a basis.)

“Meaning, technically, they can import 10% more of what they are cruising now. I don’t see any reason kung bakit sila nagfi-fear na mas-short sila eh,” the DA chief added. 

(Meaning, technically, they can import 10% more of what they are cruising now. I don’t see the reason for their apprehension.) —KBK, GMA Integrated News