Duterte issues AO to accelerate agricultural importation

September 25, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an administrative order removing non-tariff barriers and streamlining administrative procedures on the importation of agricultural products.

Under AO No. 13, which was signed on September 21, Duterte ordered the National Food Authority, Sugar Regulatory Administration, and Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, to undertake immediate measures to remove administrative constraints and other non-tariff barriers on the importation of agricultural products.

Specifically, he asked to streamline procedures and requirements in the accreditation of importers and minimize the processing time of applications for importation; and exempt traders that are already accredited from registration requirements.

The AO also provides the need to facilitate importation of certain agricultural products beyond their authorized minimum access volume and, where applicable, reduce or remove fees relative thereto in order to ensure their sufficient supply in the domestic market at more affordable prices.

Duterte also directed the liberalize issuance of permits and accreditation of traders who want to import rice to break monopoly; and as may be necessary, temporarily allow direct importation by sugar-using industries to lower their input cost, subject to reasonable regulations.

He also tasked the NFA Council to approve additional rice importation beyond the MAV commitment for allocation to the private sector, subject to certain conditions provided in the laws.

The AO also allowed importation of fishery products.

"The DA...shall issue the appropriate Certificate of Necessity to allow importation of adequate volumes of fish to augment the 17,000 metric tons of fish imports already being distributed int he market," the AO read.

The Bureau of Customs was also ordered to prioritize the unloading and release of agricultural products imported under the AO.

"The DA and the DTI shall take concrete steps to improve logistics, transport, distribution, and storage of agricultural products to reduce input costs," the AO added.

Duterte also formed a Surveillance Team to monitor the importation and distribution of products. The team is composed of the representatives from the DTI, NFA, National Bureau of Investigation, and Philippine National Police, with the assistance from the private sector.

There will also be a monthly report to be prepared by the concerned agencies.

The issuance of the AO came amid the rising inflation, which hit 6.4 percent in August, highest in almost a decade. Celerina Monte/DMS