Agriculture Secretary William Dar confirmed during a House hearing that a resolution seeking to raise minimum access volume (MAV) for pork import in a bid to address the supply problem has been submitted to Malacaῆang.
The recommendation increases the annual 54,000 metric tons MAV to over 400,000 metric tons. Dar disclosed the MAV for pork for 2021 is “now awaiting president’s signature”.
“The tariff commission is also finalizing its report and recommendations to the cabinet committee on tariff and related matters regarding our separate proposal to further lower tariff on pork for a period of one year,” Dar shared.
However, some members of the Lower House are alarmed over the possible effect of increasing MAV, including low tariff.
“Reducing tarrif is a solution, it can reduce consumer prices. However, it will only be effective kung competitive ang upstream market (if the upstream market is competitive) … Ang problema nga, mayroon tayong tinawag na (The problem is we have) unscrupulous traders,” Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo pointed out.
“We will do the best we can, based on the circumstances and the budget that we have. Sana matulungan niyo kami na significantly madagdagan po ‘yung budget (We are hoping that you will help us to significantly increase our budget),” Dar said.
The DA will strengthen its programs for local pork producers while continuously maximizing acquisition of pork supply from different provinces to augment supply.
– Report from Daniel Manalastas
