PRESS RELEASE
10 June 2025

PCC, DA discuss opportunities to align livestock and poultry meat trade policies with competition policy objectives

As part of its continuing efforts to promote pro-competition regulatory reforms, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) convened a policy dialogue with the Department of Agriculture (DA) on May 26 to discuss the PCC’s competition impact assessment on the implementation of non-tariff measures (NTMs) in the livestock and poultry subsectors. Building on a dialogue with the Anti-Red Tape Authority, the PCC and DA explored how regulatory impact assessments and related reforms can help improve administrative processes, support trade facilitation, and ensure that regulatory processes align with competition policy objectives.

PCC Executive Director Kenneth V. Tanate underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration during the strategic policy dialogue between the PCC and DA, held on May 26, 2025 in Quezon City.

The DA delegation, led by Assistant Secretary for Policy and Regulations Paz J. Benavidez II, was joined by officials from the National Meat Inspection Service. The discussion focused on Administrative Order No. 20, s. 2024, which mandates the streamlining of procedures for NTMs to reduce administrative constraints on the importation of agricultural products. The dialogue also covered the ongoing amendment of DA Administrative Circular No. 6, which aims to simplify and modernize regulatory processes for the import and export of agri-fishery products. Participants tackled the importance of aligning domestic regulatory practices with international standards, such as the Codex Alimentarius.

DA Asec. Paz J. Benavidez II shares updates on the agency’s regulatory reforms and trade facilitation efforts during the strategic policy dialogue between the PCC and DA, held on May 26, 2025 in Quezon City.

The DA shared plans to implement risk-based inspection protocols to minimize procedural delays and promote regulatory efficiency.

The dialogue opened avenues for deeper collaboration between the two agencies. Recognizing the value of integrating competition principles into policy development and review, the PCC and DA agreed to conduct continual consultation and joint capacity-building activities to ensure that existing and future regulations align with both safety standards and pro-competition objectives. Special attention will be given to policies involving licensing, inspection protocols, and sanitary and phytosanitary compliance.

PCC Executive Director Kenneth V. Tanate (front row, 3rd from right), Economics Office Directors Carlos L. Vega (front row, 3rd from left) and Kirsten J. Dela Cruz (front row, 2nd from left), along with other PCC unit heads and staff, join Assistant Secretary Paz J. Benavidez II (front row, center), who led the DA delegation during the strategic policy dialogue held on May 26, 2025, in Quezon City.

The PCC remains committed to working with key regulatory agencies in fostering a competitive and efficient regulatory environment. By engaging with the DA, the PCC aims to ensure that reforms in the agricultural sector support both consumer welfare and a level playing field for market participants.

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REFERENCE:  
publicaffairs@phcc.gov.ph  
Public Affairs and Research Division
Communications and Knowledge Management Office
Philippine Competition Commission