Marcos orders removal of non-tariff barriers on agri imports

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the removal of non-tariff barriers on the importation of agricultural products, in a bid to ensure supply and address the continuous increase in domestic prices.

Under Administrative Order 20 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 18, Marcos ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Finance (DOF), to remove non-tariff barriers, and to streamline procedures and policies regarding the importation of agricultural products.

“It is imperative to further streamline administrative procedures to foster transparency and predictability of policies on the importation of agricultural products in order to help ensure food security, maintain sufficient supply of agricultural goods in the domestic market, and improve local production,” Marcos said.

The order tasked the departments to streamline the licensing of importers, cut down the processing time of applications, and exempt licensed traders from the submission of registration requirements.

It also ordered the importation of certain agricultural products beyond the authorized minimum access volume (MAV) or the quota that the government allows entry of imported agricultural products into the country at the in-quota tariff rate, and the reduction or removal of administrative fees involved.

The order — which takes effect immediately — also mandates the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to prioritize the unloading and release of imported agricultural products, subject to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

It also ordered the reconstitution of a surveillance team made up of the DA, DTI, BOC, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the Departments of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)< and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The DA will lead the surveillance team which will monitor the importation and distribution of imported agricultural products, and prevent price manipulation and other forms of unfair or anti-competitive commercial practices.

The DA, the DTI, DOF, BOC, and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) are set to craft the guidelines for the implementation of the order. They have also been directed to submit a quarterly report on the status of the implementation to the President.

Inflation clocked in at 3.7% in March, marking its second straight month of acceleration, as food and non-alcoholic beverages — which contributed 76.4% on the overall inflation rate increase —  saw an inflation rate of 5.6% from 4.6% in February.—RF, GMA Integrated News