Marcos orders tariff cuts; DA to buy excess farm produce

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

(PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered lower tariffs on imported food, faster processing of import permits and government purchase of excess farm produce as part of a broader push to stabilize food prices amid soaring fuel prices caused by the Middle East crisis.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Marcos said he has directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Tariff Commission to reduce taxes on key food imports to ease costs for consumers.

He emphasized that safeguards will remain in place to protect local producers.

“Hindi ito pwedeng gawing basta-basta… poprotektahan natin ang mga consumer, ang mga magsasaka at ang industriya (This cannot be done arbitrarily… we will protect consumers, farmers and the industry),” he said.

To boost supply and reduce delays, Marcos also ordered the faster processing of key permits such as sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) and Certificates of Necessity to Import.

At the same time, the President moved to address supply chain costs, including the removal of toll fees at fish ports to prevent additional price increases.

Marcos acknowledged that some farmers are forced to discard produce due to oversupply and low farmgate prices.

“Kaya bibilhin na muna ng Department of Agriculture ang sobrang produksyon… para hindi masayang ang ani at hindi malugi ang ating mga magsasaka (The DA will buy excess production so harvests are not wasted and farmers do not incur losses),” he said.

Local government units will assist in distributing the purchased produce to communities.

The government will also expand the Bentang Bigas Program by increasing outlets and extending selling hours, especially for vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and single parents.