MANILA: Lawmakers filed two resolutions calling for an inquiry into the impact of World Trade Organization (WTO) policies and programs on the local vegetable, livestock and poultry sectors.
Lawmakers wanted to look into the impact of WTO policies on the local farm sector amid government efforts to amend Republic Act (RA) 8178, which converted import caps or quantitative restrictions, on farm commodities with tariffs.
“Tariffs on vegetables have been reduced since the 1980s, when the government embarked on the comprehensive liberalization program under the country’s Structural Adjustment Program [SAP],” HR 796 read.
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the lawmakers noted that the total production of 25 vegetables from 2011 to 2016 rose by 58 percent to 1.5 million metric tons (MMT) from the levels recorded during the pre-WTO period of 1990 to 1994. But imports also rose by 63 percent during the same period.
The Makabayan bloc said local vegetable growers have complained of losses as imported vegetables started flooding local markets after the country acceded to the WTO in 1995.
Lawmakers said big businessmen found it cheaper to import highland vegetables from China, Taiwan and other countries.
