The Philippine government is doubling down on its commitment to local agriculture, with an executive decision to extend the temporary ban on rice imports until the end of the year. The move, announced by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., aims to solidify the recent, albeit fragile, gains in the farmgate price of palay (unmilled rice) for the nation's rice growers.

A Policy Pivot to Protect Local Prices
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s approval on Sunday signals a clear priority: shielding domestic producers during the peak harvest season. While the initial import suspension, implemented in September, provided a brief uplift, prices of palay began to sag again as the original October 31st deadline approached.
According to Secretary Laurel, the President recognized that the import suspension’s "significant effect on the farmgate price of palay" far outweighed its minimal impact on retail prices and the national rice supply. The impending Executive Order, scheduled for formal release on November 3rd, formalizes this two-month extension.
As the harvest continues, what more do you believe the government should do to ensure Filipino rice farmers get a fair price for their palay? Let us know in the comments.
Information Source: Business World
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