To bolster the livelihoods of Filipino farmers amidst plummeting palay (unmilled rice) prices, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. today announced a 60-day suspension of all rice importation, effective September 1, 2025.
The directive, issued following consultations with Cabinet members during his State Visit to India and upon the recommendation of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., aims to shield local farmers who are currently facing significant financial strain during the harvest season.
“To protect local farmers reeling from low palay prices during this current harvest season, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today announced the suspension of all rice importation for 60 days beginning Sept. 1, 2025,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave M. Gomez stated on Wednesday.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has identified several factors contributing to the sharp decline in palay prices. These include global bumper rice harvests, the recent lifting of India’s rice export ban, and a record-high domestic palay production of 9.08 million metric tons in the Philippines during the first half of the year. This confluence of events has led to an influx of cheaper imported rice, putting immense downward pressure on local prices.
Reports from the DA indicate that some private traders are now purchasing palay for as low as PhP8 to PhP10 per kilo, significantly below the average production cost of PhP12 to PhP14 per kilo. Farmers have directly attributed this drastic reduction to the surge in cheaper imported rice flooding the market.
Earlier this week, Secretary Gomez also confirmed that the DA had recommended a temporary suspension of rice imports and a gradual increase of rice tariffs from the current 15 percent to eventually 35 percent to the President and the Cabinet.
Malacañang has affirmed President Marcos’ constitutional authority to adjust tariff rates, particularly on rice imports, emphasizing the executive’s flexibility during times of crisis. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified, “Sa panahon ng krisis, kailangang may flexibility ang Pangulo para makapag-adjust agad. Kung tatanggalin ang kapangyarihan niyang ito, magiging mahirap ang mabilis na pagtugon,” (During a crisis, the President needs flexibility to adjust immediately. If this power is removed, quick response will be difficult) Castro told reporters in New Delhi.
This decisive action by President Marcos underscores the administration’s commitment to supporting the agricultural sector and ensuring the economic stability of Filipino farmers.
