The Department of Agriculture vowed to consult hog raisers, meat processors, and lawmakers in crafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Executive Order No. 116, which increases the minimum access volume for pork imports as the government moves to contain rising food inflation and supply shortages.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the consultation should address concerns that higher imports could undermine local producers already struggling with elevated feed, fuel, and biosecurity costs.
“The IRR will seek a careful balance between protecting consumers from high prices, safeguarding the viability of local hog producers, and honoring the country’s international trade commitments,” Tiu Laurel said. “The objective is to stabilize supply and prices without weakening the long-term competitiveness of the domestic swine industry.”
EO 116 raises the pork import allocation by 150,000 metric tons to 204,210 metric tons, reflecting mounting concerns over tight domestic supply following the prolonged impact of African Swine Fever on the local hog industry.
Under the order, the MAV Management Committee was instructed to allocate 30,000 metric tons to meat processors and 120,000 metric tons to Food Terminal Inc. and the KADIWA ng Pangulo program to help augment supply and moderate retail prices.
The move comes as the government braces for broader inflationary pressure stemming from surging global oil prices following the recent conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran. Rising fuel costs had pushed up transport, logistics, and food prices simultaneously, increasing pressure on the government to prevent another spike in headline inflation.
The DA also acknowledged concerns that lower tax collections from imported pork could affect funding for the proposed Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, which will allocate PHP20 billion annually for livestock development using revenues from meat and poultry tariff.
“We understand the concerns being raised by the local swine industry, especially after years of battling ASF and elevated production costs,” Tiu Laurel said. “What we plan to pursue is a calibrated approach where imports temporarily address supply gaps while the government continues investing in rebuilding domestic hog production capacity, strengthening biosecurity, and improving long-term industry resilience.”
The policy highlights the government’s increasingly delicate balancing act between protecting consumers from soaring food prices and shielding domestic agriculture from excessive dependence on imports.
