Conflicting figures from DA, BOC on imported pork prices to cost Philippines P26B —Pangilinan

The conflicting amounts presented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on the projected prices of imported pork can cost the country P26 billion, Senator Francis Pangilinan pointed out on Monday.

Pangilinan made the remark during resumption of the Senate panel inquiry into the rising food prices.

During the hearing, Pangilinan noted the discrepancy between the DA and BOC figures in the estimated cost per kilo of pork for the proposed minimum access volume (MAV) of 404,210 metric tons.

“The DA says it’s $3 a kilo, while the BOC says it’s $1.65. Pag ganyang usapan, sino po ang paniniwalaan natin? Ang DA o ang BOC? Parehong gobyerno. Obviously mataas ng over 40% itong sa DA kumpara sa BOC,” Pangilinan said.

“At 404.2 million kilos, that price difference is equivalent to over $544 million or over P26 billion, calculating at P48 to the dollar,” he added.

The DA is proposing to increase the MAV of pork imports to address the projected deficit in pork supply in the country due to the African swine fever (ASF).

But with the prices presented by the DA, Pangilinan chided the agency for seemingly favoring importers.

“Bakit yung mataas ang binibigay niyo? Bakit hindi yung mas mababa? Wala tayong negotiation sa kanila. Sila ang magbebenta sa atin, tayo pa ang magbibigay ng mataas na presyo? Bakit hindi natin ipilit na $1.65 kung ano ang sinabi nila. Why are we increasing the value of imports? Bakit natin pinapangunahan yung importer?” he asked.

“Bakit natin parang pinapaburan yung importer? Di ba dapat inuuna natin yung interest ng ating mga kababayan, yung interest ng gobyerno na mababa na presyo,” he added.

Pangilinan also stressed the need for the DA to reconcile its figures with the real effects of ASF in the country as the private sector is reporting four million hogs lost compared to DA's 400,000.

He also urged to provide immediate assistance to hog raisers in the form of insurance and cash aid to help the industry combat ASF.—LDF, GMA News