The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) has thrown its support behind the government’s efforts to boost pork supply and curb rising food costs, while urging authorities to suspend and reassess newly issued import allocation guidelines that it says could disrupt established supply chains.
AmCham said it fully supports the objectives of Executive Order No. 116, which expanded the country’s pork Minimum Access Volume (MAV) to address supply shortages, mitigate the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF), and help stabilize pork prices for Filipino consumers.
The business group described the increase in MAV allocations as a “vital and timely intervention” that would strengthen food security and improve the availability of a key protein source in the domestic market.
However, AmCham raised concerns over the implementing guidelines governing the allocation of import quotas, warning that the new rules represent a significant departure from long-standing practices and could create uncertainty for established importers.
According to the chamber, many of these importers have invested heavily in logistics networks, cold storage facilities, and nationwide distribution systems that play a critical role in ensuring a steady flow of pork products across the country.
“While we support reforms that promote transparency and prevent abuse, changes to allocation mechanisms should be implemented in a manner that is predictable, proportionate, and grounded in market realities,” AmCham said.
The group cautioned that abrupt adjustments to the allocation system could undermine supply chain planning, create market disruptions, and ultimately affect the availability and affordability of pork products.
AmCham stressed that policy stability remains essential to maintaining investor confidence, particularly in sectors that require substantial long-term investments in infrastructure and distribution.
The chamber also welcomed the ongoing discussions between lawmakers and industry stakeholders, expressing support for the House Committee on Agriculture and Food’s call for the Executive branch to temporarily suspend implementation of the new guidelines.
According to AmCham, placing the rules in abeyance would provide regulators, importers, and other stakeholders an opportunity to conduct a more comprehensive review and develop a framework that balances transparency, competition, consumer welfare, and food security objectives.
The group said a collaborative approach would help ensure that reforms achieve their intended goals without creating unintended consequences for the country’s pork supply chain and broader food inflation management efforts.
