QuestionsQuestions (IRR of Republic Act No. 11203)
The IRR of RA 11203 is issued pursuant to Section 17 of Republic Act No. 11203.
It reiterates the State policy to ensure food security and make the agricultural sector viable and globally competitive, and it adopts tariffs in lieu of non-tariff import restrictions to protect local producers.
Tariffication is the lifting of quantitative restrictions (e.g., import quotas or prohibitions) imposed on agricultural products and replacing them with tariffs.
Bound rate is the maximum tariff committed under WTO/ATIGA schedules; In-quota tariff rate applies to minimum access volume imports; Out-quota tariff rate applies to quantities beyond maximum access volume; MFN rate applies to imports from all sources; ATIGA rate applies to imports originating from ASEAN member states.
They are repealed effective March 05, 2019 (as stated in Rule 3.1 and the listed repealed functions).
All permits, licenses, and registrations by NFA to importers, traders, warehouse operators, wholesalers, retailers, among others, cease starting March 5, 2019; other agencies (e.g., BOC and DA) must cease including NFA permits/licenses/registrations as requirements.
A transition period of at most sixty (60) days is provided to allow NFA to restructure in order to perform its buffer stock management and related functions under the Act.
NFA must submit its Restructuring or Reorganization Plan to the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) within thirty (30) days.
It means automatic approval of the SPSIC applied for within seven (7) days after submission of the complete requirements.
No. The clearance shall not provide for import volume and timing restrictions; if BPI fails to release and notify errors/deficiencies within seven (7) days for complete requirements, automatic approval applies.
The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) becomes the food safety regulatory agency for imported and domestic rice, corn, and other grains.
In-quota tariff rate applies to minimum access volume; for ASEAN-origin rice, the ATIGA rate applies; for non-ASEAN WTO member states, the out-quota tariff rate is 180% or the tariff equivalent under the WTO agreement/waiver rules, whichever is higher.
The tariff equivalent is determined by the Tariff Commission and approved by the NEDA Board within forty-five (45) days after the effectivity of the Act (and as reflected in the IRR).
When Congress is not in session; publication must occur, and orders adjusting tariff rates take effect fifteen (15) days after publication.
When Congress is not in session, the President may for a limited period and/or specified volume allow importation at a lower applied tariff rate; it applies immediately, but for no more than ninety (90) days or until the shortage ceases, whichever comes first (extendable for another similar period upon recommendation).
NFA must maintain sufficient rice buffer stock sourced solely from local farmers; NFA continues to manage buffer stock for food security consistent with the Act and the rules of NFA Council.