Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture is waiting for the approval from Malacañang before it can implement the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council to implement a price cap on imported rice, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Wednesday.

The recommended price cap is at P50 per kilo of imported rice. This is after prices of rice rose recently along with other products as the prices of fuel soared due to the war in the Middle East.

“As far as imported rice is concern, yung recommendation ng National Price Coordinating Council headed by DTI will be sent to the president very soon. Its up to the president, kelan niya pipirmahan yung price cap na P50 sa imported rice, then few days after depende sa rules, i-implement na namin yun – that will be under Price Act kasi,” said Tiu-Laurel.

The DA chief, however, is hesitant to implement the same to local rice.

“Kaya yung imported rice ang puwede nating i-control. Sa local rice, hindi masyadong wise na lagyan natin ng price cap, dahil kasagsagan ngayon ng harvests. Maraming harvest ngayon, the tendency is bababa din ang local rice,” Tiu-Laurel explained.

As a member of the UPLIFT Committee created by Malacanang to safeguard national interest and ensure stability of domestic energy and food supply, Tiu-Laurel said the DA is also looking into giving out assistance to farmers affected by high fuel prices.

“Kahapon napag-usapan naman sa UPLIFT na at least yung diesel baka kung may paraan na makatulong kami na i-targeted lalo sa agri trucks, naghahanap kami ng pondo within the DA para mapondohan namin for the agricultural trucks para makatulong sa mga farmers,” Tiu-Laurel said.

Published Date: April 9, 2026