By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Journalist
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., on Wednesday declared a 60-day halt on rice importation commencing September 1, 2025, to safeguard local farmers.
In a statement delivered to the press, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave M. Gomez mentioned that Mr. Marcos considered the Department of Agriculture’s suggestion to “support local farmers struggling with low palay prices during the ongoing harvest season.”
The order followed consultations with Cabinet members during his official visit to India.
Nonetheless, Mr. Gomez remarked that the President indicated it is not yet appropriate to raise tariffs on imported rice.
“We will still evaluate if we need to resort to that. For now, the resolution is to halt all rice importation for 60 days starting September 1,” he added.
The Philippines stands as the largest rice importer globally.
Statistics from the Bureau of Plant and Industry revealed the nation had imported 2.44 million metric tons (MT) of rice as of the end of July. The Southeast Asian country imported 4.7 million MT last year and is anticipated to import even more this year.
In June, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel, Jr. informed the House of Representatives that he had proposed gradually reinstating the rice import tariff to its original 35% rate from 15%, which was established under Executive Order No. 62 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in June 2024.
The 35% rate, applicable until 2028, is subject to reassessment every four months.
Mr. Tiu-Laurel also suggested timing tariff adjustments with harvest periods in Vietnam and Pakistan — significant rice exporters to the Philippines — to minimize market disruptions.
This discussion arises as Philippine inflation decreased to 0.9% in July, marking the lowest rate since October 2019, according to data released on Tuesday by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Food costs fell, including a 15.9% year-on-year drop in rice prices, contributing to alleviating overall price pressures.
