The Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies (CSPPS) of the College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf) held its second policy seminar on 09 May 2025 at CPAf Multipurpose Hall and via Facebook Live, continuing its policy seminar series with a timely discussion on the effects of U.S. tariff policies on the Philippine agricultural sector.
Asst. Prof. Mayo Grace C. Amit, Institute for Governance and Rural Development (IGRD) Director, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the seminar, noting that the topic is one of the current issues facing the agricultural sector today. She highlighted its relevance to CPAf’s ongoing efforts to engage in timely and policy-relevant discussions.
In her presentation, Ms. Tisha Pia E. De La Rosa, Chief of the Macro Economic Policy Division of the Department of Agriculture, shared the implications of U.S. reciprocal tariffs on the Philippines’ agri-fishery exports, emphasizing that while the U.S. remains a key market, the 17% tariff rate, though relatively modest, still threatens the competitiveness of Philippine products. She emphasized that the agri-fishery sector would be among the most affected, as it relies heavily on export markets and supports a significant portion of the rural population. The impact of reduced market access and declining competitiveness could have serious implications for farmers and fisherfolk. With this, Ms. De La Rosa underscored the need for proactive policy responses to ensure the continued viability of agri-fishery exports and protect rural livelihoods. She also provided initial recommendations for addressing the challenges posed by the impact of U.S. tariff policies on the Philippine agri-fishery sector.
Dr. V. Bruce J. Tolentino, Professorial Lecturer at CPAf, sharing his insights on the issue, further shed light on the complex impacts of U.S. trade policies on the Philippine agricultural sector. While the Philippines remains a key market for U.S. soybean and corn—critical to the local feed and livestock industries—non-tariff barriers within the country, such as restrictive licensing and import procedures, pose greater challenges than tariffs themselves. He also pointed out how the U.S. sugar quota system influences domestic sugar policy, encouraging production for high-priced export markets while keeping local prices elevated. These dynamics underscore the need for policy reforms that reduce trade friction and support agricultural competitiveness.
During the open forum, Ms. De La Rosa stressed that “…food security is national security,” highlighting the need to strengthen and expand food production regardless of U.S. tariffs or reciprocal trade measures. On the other hand, Dr. Tolentino addressed the question about the implications of U.S. tariff policy on the average Filipino, stating that “hindi siya masyadong mararamdaman ng normal na Juan…”—meaning its impact would not be strongly felt by the general public.
Following the open forum moderated by Ms. Guinevere T. Madlangbayan, the session was formally concluded by Ms. Karen S. Janiya, OIC-Director of CSPPS. In her closing remarks, Ms. Janiya reiterated some of the policy recommendations mentioned by Ms. De La Rosa and underscored a key point from Dr. Tolentino’s presentation: “policy is always political.” She also revisited the question posed by Director Amit during the opening message—“how do we popularize the discussion on political economy?”—emphasizing that seminars like this provide a valuable starting point for engaging students and researchers in meaningful dialogue on the topic.
Overall, the discussion provided valuable insights into the economic and policy implications of shifting international trade dynamics, equipping stakeholders with the knowledge necessary to advocate for smarter, evidence-based policymaking. By fostering meaningful dialogue among policymakers, experts, and the academic community, the event contributed to the development of a more informed, responsive, and resilient agricultural sector.
Jailyn P. Mar
- Jailyn P. Mar#molongui-disabled-link
