SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Monday appealed to the government’s economic managers to restore the 35% tariff on imported rice to protect Filipino farmers and strengthen the country’s rice industry.
“May I reiterate na kung maaari lang na ibalik natin ang 35% na taripa? Please,” Dy said during the joint hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga and the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo.
Dy at the start of the hearing explained that restoring the 35% tariff would provide farmers with protection against the entry of imported rice.
He said that together with other farmer-centered reforms the government should undertake reforms to the tariff system “upang maibalik sa tatlumpu’t limang porsyento (35%) ang dating taripa mula sa kasalukuyang labinlimang porsyento (15%) bilang proteksyon laban sa biglaang pagdagsa ng imported na bigas.”
Enverga backed the Speaker’s call, recalling that the same recommendation was made in the previous Congress.
“Output po ng Murang Pagkain [Super] Committee in the previous Congress is ibalik natin to 35 ang ating tariff,” said Enverga, referring to the five-committee panel formed to curb smuggling, prevent price manipulation and promote food security.
“I think that has reached your desk. So please, we join the Speaker in his appeal na ibalik po natin ang 35% tariff,” Enverga added, addressing the government’s economic managers.
Dy emphasized that the goal is to restore balance between keeping rice affordable for consumers and ensuring farmers earn a decent livelihood.
The joint hearing was attended by officials from the DA, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Philippine Competition Commission, along with representatives from rice millers, traders, importers and farmers’ groups
