MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order (EO) maintaining the temporary modification of import duty rates on mechanically deboned meat of chicken and turkey.

“There is a need to maintain the reduced tariff rates on mechanically deboned meat of chicken and turkey to ensure the continued supply of essential food products at affordable prices, diversity the country’s market sources and help businesses recover and sustain their operations,” EO No. 13, signed on January 13, reads.

The EO noted that the COVID-19 pandemic “as well as other factors affecting the country’s traditional sources of mechanically deboned meat of chicken and turkey cause uncertainty in the steady supply of said commodities.”

Executive Order No. 82 temporarily modified the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates of import duty on mechanically deboned meat of chicken and turkey until Dec. 31, 2020.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte, on Jan. 15, 2021, signed Executive Order No. 123, retaining the tariff on mechanically deboned meat of chicken and turkey at 5 percent until Dec. 31, 2022.

Processed meat products are popular among most low-income households, particularly since mechanically deboned meat is a vital component for the manufacture of hot dogs and canned luncheon meat.

The MFN rates shall be subject to review after one year of implementation of the order.

President Marcos is allowed to increase, reduce or remove existing rates of import duty upon the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), based on Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. (PCO)