President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 104, temporarily suspending the 3% import duty on Tin Mill Black Plates (TMBP) for three years to strengthen the country’s domestic tin plate and tin-free steel industries — key suppliers to the canned food sector.
Signed on November 6 and made public on Saturday, November 8, the order aims to help local manufacturers maintain stable supply and prices of canned goods while keeping Philippine food processors competitive in both local and export markets.
The EO follows the endorsement of the Economy and Development (ED) Council last August 20, which recommended lowering the Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate on TMBP.
Currently, the Philippines has no domestic production of TMBP or its substitutes, which serve as primary raw materials in producing tin plates and tin-free steel widely used in the canned food industry.
The ED Council said that the temporary tariff suspension will revitalize local manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, reduce production costs, generate employment, and foster an investment-friendly environment.
Under EO 104, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPD) has been directed to submit to the President its findings and recommendations, including market analysis and monitoring results, one year after the zero-tariff implementation.
EO 104 will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.