Marcos suspends importation of regular, well-milled rice

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has issued an executive order suspending the importation of regular milled and well-milled rice from Sept. 1 to Oct. 30.

EO 93 was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday and released yesterday.

Based on the order, excluded from the 60-day suspension are specialty rice varieties not commonly produced by local farmers.

Marcos announced the suspension of rice importation during his state visit to India early this month.

The period of suspension may be shortened or extended, as may be necessary, upon the joint recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), EO 93 said.

It also directed the DA, DepDev and DTI to convene within 30 days upon the effectivity of the order to evaluate the effects of the suspension of importation on the supply and prices of rice in the country, and within 15 days submit a joint recommendation to the President, through the Executive Secretary.

According to the DA, there is a need to suspend the importation of regular milled and well-milled rice for 60 days, which will coincide with the peak of the harvest season, to enable the domestic market to absorb local supply, stabilize prices and help Filipino farmers sell their palay at a fair and reasonable price.