President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has ordered the lifting of non-tariff barriers on the importation of agricultural products in the country.
Under Administrative Order No. 20 published on the Official Gazette's website on April 21, it was stated that removing non-tariff barriers such as quotas, import licensing systems, regulations, and red tape "is imperative to further streamline administrative procedures to foster transparency and predictability of policies on the importation of agricultural products in order to help ensure food security, maintain sufficient supply of agricultural goods in the domestic market, and improve local production."
The Department of Agriculture (DA) together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Finance (DOF) are tasked to undertake immediate measures to "further streamline administrative procedures and policies on the importation of agricultural products, and remove non-tariff barriers."
A surveillance team, to be led by the DA, shall be formed to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of Administrative Order No. 20.
A quarterly report on the status of the implementation shall be submitted to the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary by the DA, DTI, DOF, Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
"Within thirty, (30) days from the effectivity of this Order, the DA, DTI, DOF, SRA, and BOC shall formulate the guidelines necessary for the effective implementation of this Order, which shall include, among others, the rules and regulations for extension and/or suspension of processing of SPSIC applications under Section 2 hereof," the order reads.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Administrative Order No. 20 for President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on April 18.
