Hontiveros urges gov’t to ensure proper use of agri import permits

SENATOR Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel urged the government on Monday to ensure the proper use of import permits for agricultural products after the President’s order to ease the importation process for these goods.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., through Administrative Order No. 20 signed on April 18, ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to work with the Finance and Trade departments to streamline policies on the importation of agricultural products and remove non-tariff barriers.

“Even with the easing of regulations and non-tariff barriers in importing agricultural products, we still need to ensure the proper use of import permits,” Ms. Hontiveros-Baraquel said in a statement released in Filipino. “During harvest seasons or when production is rich, appropriate taxes on imports must be imposed to deter dumping that causes losses for our farmers, fisherfolk and livestock caretakers.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez