Increasing the Minimum Access Volume for Pork Meat under R.A.No. 8178 (Agricultural Tariffication Act), as Amended

May 10, 2021

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 133

INCREASING THE MINIMUM ACCESS VOLUME FOR PORK MEAT UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8178 OR THE "AGRICULTURAL TARIFFICATION ACT," AS AMENDED

WHEREAS, the spread of the African Swine Fever to over 12 regions of the country, including 38 provinces and 437 municipalities, has led to the significant reduction of the country's swine inventory by three (3) million heads or 24.1% from 2020 to 2021;

WHEREAS, data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) National Livestock Program show that for the year 2021, the shortage of pork in the country is estimated to be around 388,790 metric tons (MT);

WHEREAS, Section 6 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8178 or the "Agricultural Tariffication Act," as amended by RA No. 11203, provides that in case of shortages or abnormal price increases in agricultural products whose quantitative restrictions have been lifted, the President may propose revisions, modifications or adjustments of the minimum access volume (MAV) to Congress, which has to act within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the proposal, otherwise the same shall be deemed approved;

WHEREAS, on 26 March 2021, to quell the existing shortage, decrease retail prices, and stabilize inflation, the President submitted to Congress a proposal to increase the 2021 MAV for pork meat by 350,000 MT, or from 54,210 MT to 404,210 MT;

WHEREAS, the Congress has not acted on the proposal to increase the MAV for pork meat within the prescribed period;

WHEREAS, following a detailed review of existing measures and interventions, taking into account the issuance of Executive Order No. 128 (s. 2021), which effectively reduced the importation of pork products at lower tariff rates, it has been subsequently recommended that the MAV allocation for the year 2021 be increased by 200,000 MT instead of 350,000 MT; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative to immediately address the current supply gap in pork meat, to provide consumers with adequate and affordable food, and to lower inflation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Increase in MAV of Pork. — The MAV of pork meat for the MAV Year 2021 of 54,210 MT is hereby increased to 254,210 MT, provided that any unavailable balance at the end of 2021 shall not be carried over to 2022.

SECTION 2. Allocation of MAV to Importers. — The MAV Management Committee is hereby directed to ensure that the allocation of the volume importation is fair and open to all qualified importers of pork meat, and in accordance with existing rules and regulations for the implementation of the agricultural MAVs, and other pertinent laws and regulations.

SECTION 3. Effectivity. — This Order shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-One.

 

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 117, No. 20, p. 5424 on May 17, 2021.