15% rice import tariff extended until yearend

President Marcos has extended the 15 percent tax on imported rice until the end of the year and created an inter-agency group on rice tariff adjustment, Malacañang said yesterday.

-  —Helen Flores, Alden Monzon

Under Executive Order 105, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by authority of the President on Nov. 7, the Most Favored Nation rates of duty on rice, both in-quota and out-quota, under EO 62 shall be maintained until Dec. 31 this year.

EO 105 also provides for tariff adjustments, effective Jan. 1, 2026, based on movements in international rice prices, with rates ranging from 15 to 35 percent.

The new EO, which amended EO 62 issued by Marcos in June last year, established the Inter-Agency Group on Rice Tariff Adjustment, tasked to monitor and adjust rice import taxes in response to changes in world market prices.