President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order (EO) No. 104, implementing a temporary reduction of the import duty on tin-mill blackplate (TMBP). This measure is designed to immediately stabilize the supply chain for the country’s canned food industry and provide relief by lowering production costs.
The EO, which was endorsed by the Economy and Development (ED) Council and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, temporarily modifies the Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate on TMBP. TMBP is the foundational raw material for producing tin plate (TP) and tin-free steel (TFS), which are essential for manufacturing canned food containers.
The move addresses the critical finding that there is currently no domestic production or substitute for TMBP within the Philippines. By making the imported material more accessible and affordable, the government aims to revitalize domestic TP and TFS manufacturing.
According to the ED Council’s recommendation, the temporary modification is expected to yield multiple benefits, including promoting consumer welfare through stabilized supply and lower prices, generating employment, and fostering a favorable environment for investment in the food packaging sector.
The new tariff rates will take effect immediately and remain in force for three years, with a mandated review after the first year to assess its impact. The President cited the authority under Republic Act No. 10863, the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act,” which empowers the President to adjust import duty rates in the interest of general welfare and national security.
