Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has issued a stern warning to Vietnam’s rice industry, cautioning them against challenging the Philippines’ decision to suspend rice importation for 60 days—or risk losing the country as a buyer altogether.
Tiu Laurel made the statement during a House Committee on Agriculture and Food hearing on Wednesday, August 20.
“I also would like to openly warn Vietnam– please do not try to do this to the Philippines. We have to protect our farmers. We will do what is needed. Under the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules, superior ang national interest… Kung talagang pipilitin nila ‘yan, we’ll find ways. Hindi tayo bibili sa Vietnam. Ganoon kasimple lang ‘yun,” the Agriculture chief declared.
He later clarified that his remarks were directed not at the Vietnamese government but at its local rice industry, which had urged Hanoi to file a complaint before the WTO.
“I’m not against the local government. But the local industry ng Vietnam ng rice requested the government na magreklamo sa WTO. So it’s not the position of the government. What my warning is to the local industry. Huwag naman ganyan. Dalawang buwan lang naman hinihintay namin,” Tiu Laurel explained.
The Vietnam Food Association had earlier pressed its trade ministry to contest the Philippines’ import suspension, warning that the policy could push rice prices down further in Vietnam.
The 60-day ban, set to take effect on September 1, was ordered by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to shield Filipino farmers struggling with plunging palay prices.
To offset the possible fallout of turning away from Vietnamese rice, Tiu Laurel said other suppliers are already lining up.
“Galing lang akong India… I met with the industry. They want to take a big share of the Vietnamese market. Myanmar is just starting to export to the Philippines. And ang laki rin ng production nila. Cambodia also… Luckily, marami namang gustong mag-supply sa ‘tin,” he told reporters.