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Marcos seeks clarification on MAV for pork: Sen. Imee Marcos on Monday, February 22, 2021 seeks clarification from the Department of Agriculture (DA) on its proposal to increase the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) for pork to address local demand. Marcos, during the virtual hearing of the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform into the alarming increases in the prices of basic commodities, expressed confusion over the “conflicting” MAV figures the DA has reportedly been proposing. “Originally, the current MAV for pork is 54,000 metric tons (MT), but in the last hearing we were told that it will be raised to 162,000 MT. Now, the DA is saying that it will be 404,210 MT, which is eight times the previous MAV,” Marcos said. Agriculture Sec. William Dar replied that the DA submitted only one figure to Malacanang which is 404,210 MT of pork or the projected deficit this year based on the analysis of the government and various stakeholders. “The regular MAV is 54,210, then the proposed MAV plus that have been discussed in a cabinet meeting is 350,000 MT, so that will bring the total MAV to 404,210 MT,” DAR explained. MAV refers to the volume of a specific agricultural product that is allowed to be imported with a lower tariff as committed by the Philippines to the World Trade Organization. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)