The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced it will enforce the ₱43 per kilo maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on imported rice despite the government’s 60-day ban on rice imports.
“We will maintain the MSRP even during the two-month rice import ban,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday.
“Throughout the suspension, we will closely monitor supply and market dynamics—especially among retailers, wholesalers and importers—and take appropriate action to uphold market discipline,” he added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the temporary import freeze, arguing it was necessary to protect Filipino farmers from the flood of cheap foreign rice and stabilize palay prices.
Under Executive Order No. 62, all imported rice entering the country is subject to a 15% tariff until 2028, subject to a review every four months.