By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA Integrated News

The Department of Agriculture’s recommendation to increase the tariffs on imported rice aims to ”flush out local rice” to the local markets, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Monday.

”Well basically, marami tayong stocks ng [we have lots of stocks of] local rice and we have to move out ‘yung stocks ng local rice and mabenta sa merkado [sell them in the market] to free up ‘yung warehouses ng rice traders, ng rice millers, even ng NFA, kasi darating na ‘yung next harvest season eh [the next harvest season is coming],” Tiu Laurel told reporters.

”So, it’s to flush out local rice to to the market. That’s one and of course, kailangan na ring increase ang taripa sa bigas dahil mababa na rin ang world price [there’s a need to increase the tariff on rice because world prices are lower],” he added. 

Tiu Laurel said the department eyes to enforce the increase in tranches. 

”Ang recommendation ng DA is from 15 to 25 percent ang first tranche, maybe after three months, another, I mean, full 35 na,” he said.

Tiu Laurel further mentioned the low sales of local rice due to the imported ones. 

”Matumal kasi ‘yung benta ng local rice dahil sa imported. Marami ring imported na pumasok sa first half of the year,” he said. 

(Sales of local rice are slow because of the imports. There were a lot of imports that entered the country in the first half of the year.)

An increase in tariffs of imported rice will be among the matters which will be tackled on the sidelines of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s state visit to India. 

The DA is also suggesting a temporary halt on all importation to protect local farmers.

Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez said all details would still be discussed and agreed upon. — BM, GMA Integrated News

Published Date: August 5, 2025