Tuesday, April 08, 2008 Tariff rate reduction to resolve food crisis By Carlo P. Mallo
AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Southern Mindanao said only the reduction of tariff rates on the importation of basic necessities will help resolve the current food crisis that the country is facing right now.
In an interview Friday with Robert Barlis, DTI Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulatory Division chief, he said tariff rate reductions would solve the country's woes on the food supply.
"It is already being explored on the national level," Barlis said.
The CWTRD chief added that if tariff rates will be reduced, it would lessen the production cost of importers.
At the present rate, rice is being imported with a tariff rate of almost 50 percent, while flour is being imported with a tariff rate of 10 percent.
However, Barlis added that the government must also start looking into long-term solutions to the problem. "There is a need to overhaul food production in the country," Barlis said.
Among others, Barlis said there is a need to rehabilitate the irrigation system, farm-to-market roads, storage facilities, and other infrastructure needed for food production.
