Kaxandra Salonga, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture plans to propose gradually increasing the tariff on imported rice to 25 percent from the current 15 percent to help raise farmgate prices of palay ahead of the next harvest season.

Farmers have attributed low palay prices to rice imports, which the government no longer caps but imposes tariffs on.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Joycel Panlilio, the DA’s deputy spokesperson, on Wednesday said the gradual adjustment would help ease the burden on consumers while giving farmers better returns. She added that the agency will discuss the proposal in a scheduled meeting.

“[M]amaya po, merong pagpupulong ang DA at DepDev (Department of Economy, Planning, and Development) para pag-usapan nga itong gradual increase ng tariff para maiwasan po yung shock sa merkado,” Panlilio said.

(The DA and DepDev will meet on a gradual tariff increase to avoid shocking the market)

Panlilio said reinstating the 25 percent tariff would drive the cost of imported rice up and allow local growers to sell their harvest at fairer prices.

“Syempre ito po ay meron ding magandang epekto sa ating mga lokal na magsasaka dahil kung tataas po ang tariff ng ating imported rice, ay medyo tataas yung presyo ng ating imported rice dahil nga po sa mas mataas na tariff,” she said.

(Of course, this will benefit local farmers because the price of imported rice will go up if the tariff goes up)

Published Date: August 1, 2025