DA eyes extending rice import ban

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering extending the ban on rice imports until the end of the year, as farmgate prices of palay or unmilled rice continue to fall.

- Adrian H. Halili Reporter

"I met with the President last week and we decided to extend the import ban by a minimum of 30 days," Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told reporters in mixed English and Filipino at the House of Representatives on Monday.

"It is possible that it will be extended until the end of the year depending on the situation. The problem is that palay prices have dropped," he added.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. had earlier ordered a 60-day suspension of rice imports starting Sept. 1 to protect Filipino farmers during harvest season and to stabilize rice prices. The suspension was originally supposed to end on Nov. 2 and applies only to regular milled and well-milled rice.

Last Friday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Clarissa A. Castro said the President ordered the extension of the import ban but did not give details.

Under Republic Act No. 12078, the President is allowed to suspend or prohibit the importation of rice during a specific period, when there are excess of local or imported supply resulting in a drop in local prices.

"I also talked to our rice millers and traders last week. They are actually requesting the import ban be extended until the end of this year," Mr. Tiu Laurel said.

Mr. Tiu Laurel said there is "a big possibility" that tariffs on imported rice would be hiked before the import ban ends.