Philippine Tariff Act of 1909

The first tariff legislation of the Philippines was passed by the United States (US) Congress.

This law laid the legal foundation for the imposition of tariffs on goods coming from foreign countries and entering the Philippines.

Being a colony of the United States then, Philippine laws were passed by the US Congress.

Republic Act 911

An Act Creating the Tariff Commission, Defining Its Powers and for Other Purposes

The TC as created under this law is an independent government agency not attached or subsumed, administratively or otherwise, to any other government agency. Its powers and functions are spelled out in Sections 5 and 6 of the law.

The TC was headed by a Collegial Body consisting of a Chairman and two (2) Commissioners.

The agency was under the supervision of the Office of the President.

On 17 August 1953, TC officials and employees took their oaths of office. Hence, the TC Foundation Day is celebrated every 17^th day of August.

General Appropriations Act of 1956

Republic Act No. 1937

Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines

This law was passed by the Philippine Congress as the first Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP). Said law superseded the 48-year colonial regime era of the Philippine Tariff Act of 1909.

Under the TCCP, the TC was re-established as an independent body.

The TC was headed by a Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner.

The agency remained under the supervision of the Office of the President.

Presidential Decree No. 1, series of 1972

Reorganizing the Executive Branch of the National Government

Under this law, TC was re-converted to a Collegial Body composed of a Chairman and two (2) Member-Commissioners.

The agency was placed under the supervision of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Presidential Decree No. 34, series of 1972

Amending the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines

Directive from President Ferdinand E. Marcos to Dr. Manuel Alba

Dr. Manuel Alba was NEDA Deputy Director General and concurrent TC Chairman.

Under his watch and pursuant to the Presidential directive, TC was re-organized into a functional set-up.

Presidential Decree No. 1464

A Decree to Consolidate and Codify All the Tariff and Customs Laws of the Philippines

Executive Order No. 292, series of 1987

Administrative Code of 1987

TC was re-organized from a functional set-up to a sectoral set-up with the following five (5) divisions:

• Agricultural and Food Division;
• Machineries and Transportation Division;
• Chemicals Division;
• Textile and Paper Division; and
• Metals and Non-Metals Division.

Under this law, the TC was made an attached agency of the NEDA.

Executive Order No. 230, series of 1987

Reorganizing the National Economic and Development Authority

Pursuant to this law, the TC Chairman was made a permanent member of the Committee on Tariff and Related Matters.

This Committee has the following functions:

1. advise the President and the NEDA Board on tariff and related matters and on the effects on the country of various international developments;
2. coordinate agency positions and recommend national positions for international economic negotiations; and
3. recommend to the President a continuous rationalization program for the country’s tariff structure.

Executive Order No. 143, series of 2000

Instituting Effective Operational Mechanisms and Strategies in the Tariff Commission

This law allowed TC, as the agency responsible for undertaking a thorough study of the Philippine Trade and Tariff System, to adopt operational strategies and activities to make it effective in encouraging the development and growth of efficient, self-reliant, innovative, progressive and globally competitive Philippine industries.

In particular, the law provided for organizational and operational streamlining by prescribing that TC shall study/review its existing operational processes, systems and set-up and determine appropriate mechanisms and strategies to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling its mandated functions.

Under this law, TC shifted from a sectoral to a functional set-up.

Executive Order No. 366, series of 2004

Directing a Strategic Review of the Operations and Organizations of the Executive Branch and Providing Options and Incentives for Government Employees Who May Be Affected by the Rationalization of the Functions and Agencies of the Executive Branch

23 September 2008

(effectivity date of TC Rationalization Plan)

Under the TC Rationalization Plan, two (2) Services were created:

• Finance, Management and Administrative Service (headed be a Director III); and
• Research, Investigation and International Trade Analysis Service (headed by a Director III and Director II).

Republic Act No. 10863

Customs Modernization and Tariff Act

Pursuant to this law, the TC mandate was significantly broadened to include, among others, the following:

1. providing the President and Congress with independent analysis, information and technical support on non-tariff measures for policy guidance on Philippine industries and exports;
2. rendering rulings on disputes over the tariff classification of goods; and
3. reviewing the terms of trade agreements for negotiation and existing trade agreements with respect to their consistency with national policy objectives.