Farmers’ advocacy group SINAG has urged the government to reinstate tariff protections for rice, corn, pork, and chicken ahead of the upcoming State of the Nation Address.
Executive Director Jayson H. Cainglet described fair tariff levels as a key instrument for safeguarding local producers, encouraging domestic investment, and bolstering national food security.
He also called for the installation of border inspection and quarantine facilities at all major ports to ensure that every imported agricultural product undergoes thorough inspection.
Strengthening biosecurity measures was highlighted as essential to protect against transboundary animal diseases and plant pests while maintaining food safety and public health standards.
Cainglet criticized recent executive orders that lowered tariffs and increased imports, arguing that such policies have eroded the country’s capacity to produce its own food, discouraged a production‑based economy, and failed to address inflation or supply constraints.
He acknowledged the Department of Agriculture’s efforts but noted that years of neglect have left the sector facing significant challenges that require substantial rebuilding.
According to Cainglet, the continued push for trade liberalization undermines these efforts, favoring importers over local producers.
Dependence on imports has not delivered lasting price stability; instead, it has weakened domestic production, investment, and exposed the nation to global supply disruptions and price shocks.
He emphasized that imports should be restricted to genuine food shortages, ensuring they complement rather than replace domestic capacity.
Cainglet stressed that the future of Philippine agriculture hinges on restoring confidence among farmers, protecting local production, and balancing consumer protection with the livelihoods of producers.
He warned that a truly balanced policy must give equitable weight to traders and importers while safeguarding local producers from unfair competition.
Data shows pork imports rose 17% to 906 million kilograms in 2025, while chicken imports increased 14.3% to 545.68 million kilograms. Preliminary figures for 2026 report pork imports at 453.38 million kilograms and chicken at 291.49 million kilograms.
Rice imports fell 23.4% to 3.37 million metric tons in 2025, with a year‑to‑date estimate of 2.75 million metric tons as of June 30.
