The Tariff Commission is set to hear the petition of Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc. to extend the effectivity of Executive Order No. 171 which cut the most favored nation tariff rates on imported pork, corn, rice and coal.
The trade measure, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2022 allows for the importation of key consumer goods at less tariff.
Farmers groups said, however, this put local produce at a disadvantage.
The public hearing, scheduled on Nov. 8, seeks to gather the comments and positions of affected industries.
The United Broilers and Raisers Association and the Federation of Free Farmers opposed the EO when it was approved by the Duterte administration in May 2022, following a spate of local and global incidents that led to supply disruption and rise in prices.
FFF said EO 135 reduced tariffs on rice imports from non-ASEAN countries from 50 percent to 35 percent for a year to reduce the country’s dependence on Vietnam and other ASEAN rice exporters. Othel V. Campos