ABSTRACT
As of June 1997, the Philippines’ nominal tariff averaged 13.43%, which was down from 15.58% the year before. Protective tariffs were established in May 1996, replacing import quota restrictions for sensitive agricultural commodities (except rice). Since then, four subsequent executive orders (EOs 328, 365, 388 and 390) have reduced rates for several products-namely, petroleum and information technology products-in preparation for future liberalisation. It is likely that the agriculture sector will always carry a much higher tariff than other sectors. Rates on some key products in 1997 were:
Agriculture, 25.30%;
Metals, 14.69%;
Textiles, 14.41%;
Machinery, 10.62%; and
Chemicals, 6.64%.
