Manila, May 22 -- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday said raising the minimum access volume (MAV) for imported pork will help enhance market competition and lower retail prices in local markets.

This comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) 116, which allowed the increase of MAV for pork meat to 204,210 metric tons (MT) from 54,210 MT.

In an interview, Tiu Laurel said the change will benefit Filipino consumers by leveling the playing field among stakeholders.

"Ang benefit niyan sa (Its benefit for the) consumer, more competition, level-playing field means lower prices in general," he said, at the sidelines of his inspection at the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Tabuk Ci...