Philippines : Restore 35% rice tariff, agri group tells gov’t
The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture expects record-high palay output of 20.4 million MT in 2025, recovering from El Niño and storms. President Marcos restored P10 billion to the rice program, with DA seeking additional funds. Despite a 2024 decline, imports hit 4.78 million MT. The goal remains 90% rice self-sufficiency through increased local production.
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expecting record-high palay output in 2025 at 20.4 million metric tons (MT), following an El Niño year and an onslaught of storms by the tail end of 2024.
The optimism comes from “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to restore the DA budget for rice production,” the agency said in a statement on Monday, January 20.
“We’re now hopeful we could do better than 2023,” said DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. The current record palay harvest hit 20.06 million MT in 2023.
In 2024, palay production suffered due to El Niño and the consecutive storms that ravaged agricultural fields. DA’s preliminary estimate for 2024 palay output is only at 19.3 million MT.
Agriculture chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. says they are leaving it up to local government heads how to distribute the rice as the DA ‘cannot micromanage’
The agriculture department is set to release NFA rice stocks to local governments, more than two weeks after it declared a food security emergency
DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa says P380/kilo of pork is what’s ‘reasonable’
Marcos’ directive, the statement said, is to restore P10 billion to the National Rice Program (NRP). The NRP is DA’s banner program that aims to boost local production and achieve at least 90% rice self-sufficiency.
According to DA spokesman Arnel De Mesa, the agency already has P21 billion for the rice program secured in the 2025 budget. But they are asking for more funds.
(Now, the budget of the rice program is around P21 billion as per the 2025 General Appropriations Act. We’re seeking additional P9 to 10 billion for the rice program. It depends on the DBM where they will source that.)
While local production declined in 2024, imports rose to a record-high of 4.78 million MT.
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Source : Rappler
