'AO 20 necessary for food security'

The newly issued administrative order (AO) seeking to remove non-tariff barriers on agricultural imports is a necessary measure for food security, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said yesterday amid concerns raised by stakeholders.

- LOUELLA DESIDERIO

"We reassure the public that AO 20 is a strategic and necessary measure to ensure our people's food security, particularly in terms of availability and affordability of food, and improve the overall welfare of Filipinos," NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

Signed on April 18, AO 20 aims to streamline administrative procedures and policies and remove non-tariff barriers to importing agricultural products.

Balisacan said the Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook, in coordination with other relevant government agencies of the Economic Development Group, recommended the issuance of AO 20 to help curb inflation by addressing its fundamental causes such as the shortages of food commodities due to inadequate and untimely importation.

Following the AO's issuance, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura said the problem with smuggling through misdeclaration may continue without 100 percent border inspection of all agricultural products as provided under the Food Safety Act of 2013 and the Anti-Agri Smuggling Law.

While the government recognizes the importance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) and other import permits in ensuring food safety and preventing the spread of animal and plant diseases, Balisacan said recent experiences show that the inadequacy and untimely arrival of imported supplies, when clearances and permits are used as administrative, non-tariff barriers to importation, have led to price instability and faster inflation.