The government is extending the temporary rice import ban for another 30 days as farmgate prices of palay continue to fall, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the move to protect local farmers during the peak of the harvest season.
“The decision is to extend the ban for at least 30 days, but it may last until the end of the year depending on the situation,” Tiu Laurel told reporters, adding that rice millers and traders had also pushed for the extension.
Farmgate prices have dropped to as low as ₱8 per kilo, and in some areas, reports show palay being bought for only ₱6. This comes after prices briefly climbed to ₱14–₱17 per kilo when the import halt first took effect.
“It’s very alarming,” Tiu Laurel admitted. “That’s why since the weekend, the DA, NFA, and even the President himself have been working together to act fast and help our farmers.”
Among the measures being lined up are:
- banning government agencies from buying imported rice,
- emergency procurement of palay,
- expanding NFA warehouse storage, and
- setting a nationwide floor price to stabilize buying rates.
Tiu Laurel also revealed that the government is looking to raise rice tariffs again before lifting the import halt. Tariffs were previously at 35% but were slashed to 15% under Executive Order No. 62 in July 2024 to temper retail prices.