Agricultural stakeholders welcomed the government’s plan to suspend rice imports for 60 days starting September 1, but pressed for higher tariffs to make the measure more effective.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the suspension will cover only well‑milled and regular‑milled rice, excluding fragrant or basmati varieties.
DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the government will stop issuing Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances for affected rice types once the order takes effect. The DA is awaiting the Office of the President’s official directive.
Bureau of Plant Industry data showed the Philippines has imported 2.44 million metric tons (MT) of rice as of July 31, with Vietnam supplying 77 percent, or 1.88 million MT.
Tariff hike urged
Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura executive director Jayson Cainglet said the current 15 percent tariff renders the ban ineffective, as importers can advance or delay shipments to bypass the suspension.
He added that palay prices remain low and warehouses, including those of the National Food Authority, are already full.
Raising tariffs, he said, is “essential to discourage excessive imports, stabilize farmgate prices and restore fairness to local rice farmers.”
Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. President Danilo Fausto said the suspension is “welcome news” amid ongoing harvests, but should start immediately to help lift farmgate prices from P8–P10 per kilo, which he described as “killing farmers.”
Tariff powers debate
De Mesa declined to comment on the Senate’s proposal to strip the president of tariff‑adjustment powers, saying it is up to Congress to decide.
Fausto agreed, noting tariff authority “should be left to Congress” to ensure proper consultation and debate before policy changes are made.
