The government will not extend the 60-day suspension of rice imports, which forms part of an ongoing effort to address challenges faced by farmers, once the deadline expires in October. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said on Monday, Aug. 11, that the import pause will unlikely be extended given that...
CEBU CITY – Sacks of rice that could have fed thousands were left to rot in a warehouse in Mandaue City. Authorities confirmed that the 397 sacks of National Food Authority (NFA) rice valued at over P1 million are already spoiled and unfit for human consumption. Sacks of rice stored in a...
More than 115,000 minimum wage earners nationwide have received ₱20 per kilo rice through a subsidized distribution program, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Thursday, Aug. 7. As of July 31, a total of 115,827 workers from 398 private establishments have availed of the rice...
Implementing government projects aimed at giving immediate relief to Filipinos such as zero-balance billing in hospitals, P20 per kilo of rice, and discounted train fares are not intended to win the public 's trust and approval, President Marcos said. In his recent podcast episode, Marcos...
The Republic of Korea has donated 2,016 metric tons of rice to the Philippines to support government programs on disaster response, climate resilience, and peacebuilding, underscoring its growing bilateral partnership with Manila. Of the total volume, 1,632 metric tons were turned over to the...
Malacañang has cautioned lawmakers against supporting a Senate resolution seeking to remove the President’s authority to adjust rice tariffs, saying it could paralyze the government’s ability to act swiftly during price shocks and emergencies. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said...
President Marcos has ordered a 60-day suspension of all rice importation starting Sept. 1 to shield local farmers from falling palay prices during the ongoing harvest season, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced. The President announced the move after consultations with key...
Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for the review of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) as he expressed alarm that the future of the rice farming industry is in danger because of existing policies. In his privileged speech, Tulfo said that while RTL had good intentions and ideas, it failed to fulfill...
Two senators on Monday, August 4 filed a joint Senate resolution seeking to withdraw or terminate the President’s power to increase, reduce, revise or adjust existing rates of import duty on rice. Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros filed Joint Senate Resolution No. 2...
Malacañang disclosed that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has recommended to increase tariffs on imported rice and to temporarily halt rice importation. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said this on Monday, Aug. 4, saying it aims to protect Filipino farmers. He...
With rice prices still seen to have dropped further recently, the central bank has forecast that increases in consumer prices likely slowed even more in July, following the five-and-a-half-year lows of 1.4 percent in June and 1.3 percent in May. As such, private-sector economists said that the...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will expand the government’s ₱20-per-kilo rice program to include farmers of the staple beginning next month, expanding access to cheaper rice for one of the country’s poorest sectors. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the government will...