Farmers seek TRO vs rice tariff cut

MANILA, Philippines — Farmers’ groups yesterday asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Executive Order No. 62 allowing a reduced tariff of 15 percent on imported rice, as they asked that the order be declared null and void and unconstitutional.

The 26-page petition was filed by the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, Federation of Free Farmers, United Broiler Raisers Association, Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative and Magsasaka party-list president Argel Joseph Cabatbat.

Named respondents  were President Marcos, Executive Lucas Bersamin, National Economic and Development Secretary (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Tariff Commission Chairperson Marilou Mendoza.

The petitioners noted that farmers were “shocked” Bersamin signed EO 62, also known as “Modifying the Nomenclature and rates of Import Duty on Various Products” on June 20.

The petitioners said that they were never informed nor were they ever called for investigation about the reduction of rice tariff.

According to the petitioners, EO 62 was hastily issued sans the consultation, investigation, hearings and reports, which are required by the Flexible Clause of Customs Modernization and Tariff Act or Republic Act 10863 to be complied with before the President can validly make issuance of an executive order involving tariff reduction.

“It is well to emphasize that included in the reduced tariff is rice – the most staple food of the Filipino people. Also reduced are the tariff of corn, pork and chicken meat. Prior to issuance of EO 62, tariffs for corn imports was already lowered to five percent; 15 percent tariffs for pork; and 35 percent tariffs for rice imports under EO 10,” the petition added.

They added that lowering tariffs on products, specifically staple foods like rice and corn, poses significant challenges for local farmers. Lower tariffs can lead to an influx of cheaper imported goods, undermining domestic producers’ and farmers’ sales and products.

In a statement, Balisacan said NEDA respects the legal process and will respond to the petition filed by farmers’ groups in due course.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and NEDA will form a