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The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines expressed support for the government’s decision to increase the pork Minimum Access Volume under Executive Order No. 116 while urging a review of the newly issued allocation guidelines
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AmCham backs the House Committee on Agriculture and Food’s appeal to the Executive branch to suspend implementation of the new guidelines pending a thorough review
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AmCham said the sudden shift in long-standing allocation frameworks does not align with predictable, proportionate, and data-driven regulatory reforms
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The business group said compliant importers have invested heavily over decades in cold storage, logistics, and distribution infrastructure, now at risk from policy changes
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AmCham warns that disrupting these supply chains could inadvertently worsen pork availability and prices for consumers
The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) expressed support for the government’s decision to increase the pork Minimum Access Volume (MAV) under Executive Order No. 116, while urging a review of the newly issued allocation guidelines to prevent disruptions in food supply chains and market stability.
AmCham said it welcomes the House Committee on Agriculture and Food’s active engagement with stakeholders and expressed support for its appeal to the Executive branch to put the new guidelines on hold to allow for a “rigorous, collaborative review to ensure that the final implementation mechanics” protect both consumer welfare and long-term market stability.
READ: Minimum access volume for pork imports raised to stabilize supply
The group reiterated its dedication to collaborating with the government to enhance food security, safeguard consumers, and “maintain a stable and competitive business environment.”
“AmCham fully supports the core intent of Executive Order No. 116,” the chamber said in a statement. “This expansion is a vital and timely intervention to address supply constraints, manage African Swine Fever (ASF) pressures, and stabilize food prices for Filipino families.”
However, it cited that the allocation guideline changes introduce uncertainty for established importers.
“The sudden recalibration of long-standing allocation frameworks introduces severe unpredictability for established, compliant importers,” the group said.
According to AmCham, these importers have invested heavily over the years in critical agricultural infrastructure, stating “these operators have invested heavily in the country’s critical agricultural infrastructure, including specialized logistics and cold storage networks, ensuring the safe and efficient nationwide distribution of food.”
READ: DA moves to overhaul MAV rules for pork
AmCham warned that sudden disruptions to these synchronized supply chains could cause market instability, potentially affecting pork availability and prices for consumers. They cautioned that abrupt changes to allocation mechanisms might have unintended consequences for the pork market.
The group supports the government’s goal of increasing transparency and fighting abuse in MAV allocations but argues that regulatory reform must be predictable, proportionate, and data-driven.
Abrupt policy changes, AmCham warns, undermine investor confidence and threaten supply chains critical for food security.
