The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI) is calling on Congress to prioritize amendments to key provisions on agricultural imports, specifically advocating for reforms in tariff utilization and the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) system—moves seen to significantly impact domestic agricultural productivity and competitiveness.
In a statement, PCAFI president Danilo Fausto emphasized the need to earmark tariff collection from imported commodities for the development of local industries, following the model used in the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). He said similar dedicated funds should be created for underfunded commodities such as cacao, coffee, sugar, tobacco, and vegetables.
At present, tariff revenue from MAV-imported goods flows into the national treasury’s general fund, as the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) expired in December 2022. PCAFI wants Congress to legislate the allocation of these revenue sources directly back into the industries impacted by imports, thereby fostering growth and resilience.
The group also described the MAV system—which allows limited volumes of pork, poultry, and corn to enter the country at lower tariffs—as “outdated,” noting that actual imports now exceed MAV quotas by as much as 15 times, rendering the special tariff rates ineffective. Fausto argued that since in-quota and out-quota rates are nearly equal, the MAV framework no longer offers real trade benefits and should be scrapped.
PCAFI reiterated its support for the immediate enactment of the proposed Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, which would establish a P20-billion earmarked fund for the livestock, poultry, dairy, and corn sectors—industries hard-hit by challenges such as African swine fever.
The group is also pushing for broader reforms, including the creation of a national virology center, full implementation of the 1995 National Dairy Development Act, and updates to the decades-old Livestock and Poultry Feeds Act to reflect current feed formulations and expanded animal categories.
Additionally, PCAFI urged Congress to extend direct support to farm laborers, a group they said is often excluded from government aid and subsidy programs.
PCAFI represents 48 agriculture-related sectors across the country, ranging from traditional crops and livestock to emerging industries like aquaculture, bamboo, and agri-tourism.
