MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered a 60-day suspension of rice importation to shield local farmers from depressed palay prices amid reports of surplus stocks.
Through Executive Order (EO) 93, signed Sept. 1, the government halted the entry of regular milled and well-milled rice until October 30, tasking the Department of Agriculture (DA) to enforce the ban.
“The DA is hereby directed to lead and monitor the implementation of the suspension of rice importation, and undertake necessary measures to ensure that the country’s supply of rice remains sufficient during the period of suspension, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations,” the EO stated.
The order exempts specialty rice varieties not widely grown in the Philippines. To monitor supply conditions, the DA must coordinate with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with the three agencies convening within 30 days to assess if the suspension should stay in force.
“For this purpose, the DA, DEPDev, and DTI shall convene within 30 days upon effectivity of this Order to evaluate the effects of the suspension of importation on the supply and prices of rice in the country, and within 15 days therefrom submit a joint recommendation to the President, through the Executive Secretary,” the EO added.
The directive further instructs the DA, Bureau of Customs, and DTI to craft immediate enforcement guidelines.
Officials said the measure comes after a strong local harvest combined with earlier low-tariff imports created a rice surplus. The temporary ban, they noted, is expected to stabilize prices during the harvest season and help farmers secure fair market value for their produce./PN
