DA chief: My team was not consulted in the crafting of AO No. 20

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said his team was not consulted when Administrative Order (AO) No. 20 — which removed non-tariff barriers on the importation of farm products — was crafted.

During the hearing of the House of Representatives’ committee on agriculture and food on Monday, Laurel said it was the old Department of Agriculture (DA) team that was asked about the AO — and not the team he brought in after his appointment in December 2023.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued AO No. 20, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, last April 18, to ensure that local supply is sufficient and price remains stable due to higher prices of domestic agricultural products.

“Mr. Chair, again I would like to reiterate that I was never, and my new team was not consulted about this AO, and I think the old team in DA was consulted but not my team, just to clarify,” Laurel told committee chairperson and Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga.

READ: Marcos orders rules on agriculture imports eased

Laurel said he personally does not think AO No. 20 is a good solution, adding that they have asked the President for a 90-day extension before the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of said administrative order.

“Sa akin ‘yong AO ho is a band-aid solution to a temporary problem, so hindi ako masyadong kumporme d’yan, there are other ways to skin the cat at marami kasing ibang problema eh,” the DA chief said.

(For me the AO is a band-aid solution to a temporary problem, so I do not fully agree with that as there are other ways to skin the cat and there are other problems.)

“But as of the moment, we have asked the President for a 90-day extension which I think he will be approving, for the IRR of this AO 20.  (His specific instruction) from the last time we talked, May 2 or 3, last week, regarding this particular issue is to protect the farmers and the fishermen,” he added.

Repeal of AO No. 20

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro who was present during the hearing said the non-consultation of the DA should be enough reason to repeal AO No. 20.

“Maganda ‘yong brinought out ni (AGAP party-list) Rep. (Nicanor) Briones ‘no kasi pro-importation ito, to the detriment of our farmers. Kaya talagang dapat na, kung ako Mr. Chair dapat i-repeal na itong AO na ito eh, since hindi rin naman na-konsulta ‘yong DA kaugnay nito Mr. Chair,” she noted.

(What Rep. Briones brought out is good because this is a pro-importation policy, to the detriment of our farmers. That’s why what should happen Mr. Chair, if it were up to me, is to repeal this AO since the DA was not consulted about this.)

This is not the first time that complaints about AO No. 20 have been raised. Last April 29, lawyer Elias Jose Inciong of the United Broiler Raisers’ Association (UBRA) told the House Committee on Trade and Industry that the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) did not consult agricultural stakeholders when AO No. 20 was crafted.

Inciong accused the Neda of having a “god complex” as it allegedly refused to listen to farmers and growers in the country, and instead relied on importation and market liberalization.

Band-aid solution

“The instant solution of Neda is importation. I cannot accept the declaration recently of Neda Director General (Arsenio) Balisacan that they are not pro-importation. They did not have consultations for their recently crafted A.O. No. 20, there’s no due process,” Inciong told lawmakers.

“Neda has a god complex, they did not even bother to talk to us, but they will make importation easier. We’re faring worse than criminals because at least criminals have due process, for us, we’re being sentenced immediately,” he noted.

READ: Neda has ‘god complex,’ allowing easy importation of agri products – UBRA

Inciong also criticized Neda in a press briefing last April 23, saying local growers and producers are being disadvantaged due to Neda allowing more imports as an immediate solution to high prices.

READ: House execs want to check reason for high cost of basic commodities

Then on April 25, Balisacan released a statement saying that Neda recognizes the concerns of the agriculture sector regarding A.O. No. 20 — saying that the policy is necessary to improve the “overall welfare of Filipinos”.