MANILA – Lowering tariff rates on rice imports will not hurt Filipino producers as the importation will happen after the local harvest season, according to the Malacañang on Thursday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stressed that the Executive Order (EO) No. 135 of President Rodrigo Duterte seeks to safeguard the stability of rice supply in the country amid a 10 percent shortfall against consumption.
“Ang kailangan lang naman na angkatin ay ‘yung kulang sa ating supply na 10 percent… Ang iniiwasan natin ay maapektuhan ang ating rice security kaya binaba natin nang bahagya [ang tariffs],” said Roque.
Under the EO, tariffs on imported rice were cut to 35 percent from the previous in-quota rate of 40 percent and out-quota rate of 50 percent. The lower tariffs will be applicable for one year.
In a statement on May 15, Roque explained the tariff cut “took into consideration the increase in global rice prices, and the uncertainties surrounding the steady supply of rice in the country.”
Five senators, however, urged Duterte to scrap the EO through Senate Resolution No. 726, arguing that local farmers would suffer in return.
This was filed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Nancy Binay, Leila de Lima, and Risa Hontiveros.
“There is no reasonable and sufficient basis to reduce the tariff rates on rice and it will only cause more burden to our local rice farmers, further increase our import dependency and cost the government millions in foregone revenues,” the resolution read.(CNN)
