Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 297)
The legal basis is Republic Act No. 330, which authorizes the President to establish a system of import control by regulating imports of non-essential and luxury articles, creating an import control board, issuing implementing rules and penalizing violations.
The main purpose is to amend Executive Order No. 295 by adjusting the percentage cuts or controls on imports of various non-essential and luxury articles as part of the import control system.
Oranges and apples were excepted from the general controls on all fresh and frozen fruits under item No. 17.1.
A 30 percent percentage cut on orange and apples import was introduced as item No. 17.4.
These articles shall not be subject to the percentage reductions in Appendix B, but manufacturers must apply for import permits for them as determined by the Import Control Board.
The Order took effect on December 1, 1949, except for new items added therein, which took effect upon promulgation of the Order on December 24, 1949.
The import percentage cut for coffee (ground or as candy) was reduced from 90 percent to 50 percent in item No. 20.4.
Yes, the word 'hams' was deleted and replaced with 'except hams' after the words 'and the like' in item No. 21.5, and a new item No. 21.9 was inserted with hams having a 60 percent percentage cut.
The amendment inserted item No. 27.5 regulating bond, writing, and tablet paper of any weight and color, with an 80 percent percentage cut, and deleted 'cardboards and boxes' and replaced them with chipboard in item No. 27.3.
No, the amendment deleted the word 'prohibited' in item No. 33.7 and replaced it with a 90 percent import cut instead, indicating import limitation rather than outright prohibition.