Solons welcome extension of lower tariff rates for meat, rice

Several senators on Monday expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for extending the lower tariff rates for basic commodities such as rice and meat.

"We acknowledge the efforts of this administration to bring down the costs of basic goods for our consumers," Senator Grace Poe said.

However, Poe said the government should review whether the goal of Executive Order No. 171 is being achieved.

Under EO 171, which was signed by then-President Rodrigo R. Duterte in May, tariff rates on pork, corn, rice and coal were reduced to help the Filipinos affected by high inflation.

"Let us check if the prices of rice and pork really went down in the middle of challenges faced by ordinary Filipinos and farmers," she said.

Poe pointed out that neighboring countries in the ASEAN have lower prices of rice even without reducing its tariff rates on rice.

"For rice, the aim was to bring down the cost of rice from countries outside of ASEAN. Different agriculture groups have already pointed out that rice from outside of ASEAN, specifically Pakistan, can still come in at lower prices even without bringing down the tariff," she said.

"The Federation of Free Farmers and SINAG have also raised concerns on the revenue loss to government stemming from the bringing down of tariffs," she added.

Likewise, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito also welcomed the extension of lower tariff rates, adding that it should also "be reviewed periodically."

He noted that he shared the same concerns of agricultural groups, particularly its negative effects on local farmers.

"I have always advocated food sufficiency. Passage of Anti-agricultural smuggling Law and Sugarcane Industry Development Act was authored by me. These are just temporary solutions," he said.