'Gov't may raise rice tariffs to 35%'

The government is reviewing the country’s rice tariffs and may raise these to as much as 35 percent after the current import ban ends, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday.

- ALDEN MONZON

Tiu Laurel said the review is being carried out with Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, following President Marcos’ directive.

“We're running the numbers now, from 20 percent, 25 percent or 35 percent. Hopefully, we can make a decision before the closure of the ban,” Tiu Laurel told reporters in an interview at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.

The move comes as farmers' groups press for stronger safeguards against cheap rice imports that have dragged down farmgate palay prices to below P10 per kilogram.