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“The food groups that contribute most to the Filipinos’ energy, protein, and micronutrient intake — including rice, cereals, fish, meat, and poultry — are all produced under high levels of trade protection against cheaper imports,” PIDS said in a statement, citing a study by senior research fellow Roehlano M. Briones.
“Prior to the pandemic, the nutritional status of Filipino children was already a serious concern. Adding to the recent rounds of food inflation, these economic shocks are likely to have an adverse impact on food consumption and nutrient intake at the household level, leading to worsening nutritional status,” Mr. Briones said.
“The sooner the government dismantles high tariffs and overly strict application of sanitary and phytosanitary standards on these major consumer goods, the more affordable these items become, especially to the poor,” he added.