MSRP on imported rice to stay even during 60-day import ban — DA
The MSRP for the 5% broken imported rice variety has been reduced to P43 per kilo from P45 per kilo last month.
'We will maintain the MSRP even during the two-month rice import ban,' Tiu Laurel said in a statement.
'Throughout the suspension, we will closely monitor supply and market dynamics—especially among retailers, wholesalers, and importers—and take appropriate action to uphold market discipline,' he added.
Marcos ordered the suspension of rice importation from September to October to stabilize palay prices, which have reportedly fallen to as low as P8 per kilo—far below production costs, even for the most efficient farmers, according to the DA.
The duration of the suspension may be shortened or extended depending on price movements and the outcome of the main harvest in the coming months.
Specialty rice varieties, such as Japanese, black, and basmati rice, will be exempt from the ban.
Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry showed that total imported rice arrivals between January and July reached 2,443,337.556 metric tons, with pending Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSICs) covering an estimated 300,000 metric tons.
The Philippines consumes roughly 9.8 kilos of rice per person per month (325.5 grams/day), according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Under the Rice Tariffication Law, the President has the authority to halt rice imports to safeguard local farmers and stabilize market prices.
Tiu Laurel said the DA remains prepared to adjust policies if supply tightens while ensuring that both farmers and consumers receive fair prices. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
P11B proposed for TUPAD program in 2026
The government wants to continue its emergency employment program to disadvantaged individuals and displaced workers with the proposed P11 billion allocation to the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the labor and employment agencies, composed of the DOLE and Department of Migrant Workers, are set to receive P55.2 billion funding next year — among the top departments with the biggest proposed budget for next year. Of the figures, the DOLE will get P44.38 billion — lower than its P51.20 billion budget in 2025. The DMW, meanwhile, will receive P9.48 billion, higher than its P8.08 billion funding for this year. According to the NEP, a total of P12.24 billion will be appropriated for the DOLE's TUPAD program and the Government Internship Program (GIP). This amount is lower than the P18 billion budget of the two programs this year. Under the TUPAD program, beneficiaries will be working for 10 days in community clean-up, debris clearing, and rehabilitation of public infrastructures. They will be paid with the highest prevailing minimum wage rate in the region. TESDA Meanwhile, the Marcos administration likewise allocated funding for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholarship programs. This includes the training for work scholarship program (P4.34 billion); special training for employment program (P1.62 billion); and technical-vocational training programs (P5.05 billion). At least P300 million will also be appropriated for the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program, and P1.65 billion for the TESDA Tulong Trabaho Program. In July, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. touted major strides in the country's higher education sector, highlighting the expansion of TESDA scholarships and financial aid for poor families during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA). Malacanang proposed a P6.79-trillion national budget for 2026.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
PH version of AI-powered disaster management platform Spectee Pro launched
A localized version of the Japanese AI software that collects and evaluates crisis data was launched on Thursday. Supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Japanese technology firm Spectee Inc., the launch of the Philippine version of Spectee Pro was held in Quezon City. Spectee Pro uses artificial intelligence to collect, analyze, and visualize real-time data on incidents such as earthquakes, fires, floods, and storms from open sources such as social media. Spectee's 24/7 human team assesses the credibility of the information before it can be delivered to customers through dashboard, voice, notification, or email alerts. "While Spectee Pro in Japan primarily uses X (formerly Twitter), the system has been customized for the Philippines, where Facebook is the dominant platform and widely used for real-time information sharing. With the Philippines having one of the largest Facebook [user bases] in the world, this localization effort positions Spectee Pro as a scalable model for other countries across Southeast Asia," said JICA Philippines Office chief representative Baba Takashi. '[With the] combination of artificial intelligence and human intelligence, we deliver only credible information,' added Spectee Pro chief operations officer Satoshi Negoro, as this allows authorities to make faster and better-informed responses. During the launch, the DICT highlighted the role of technology in delivering timely and essential information. "With tools like Spectee AI Pro, every mobile phone becomes a potential first responder, and every online post [becomes] a valuable piece of information that can guide timely action,' said DICT Assistant Secretary Luis Miguel Planas. Spectee Pro was launched in the Philippines in October 2024, with accounts provided to 120 government agencies, private companies, and LGUs—including Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Legazpi, and Tagbilaran—for free until May 2026. "Since then, the platform has undergone localization, user testing, and initial rollout to select national agencies and local government units (LGUs), with training and feedback cycles conducted to fine-tune its usability in local disaster scenarios," the JICA Philippines said. A paid program is expected to be introduced in June 2026. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
MSRP on imported rice to stay even during 60-day import ban — DA
The Department of Agriculture's (DA) maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice will remain in place even during the two-month suspension of rice importation ordered by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Thursday. The MSRP for the 5% broken imported rice variety has been reduced to P43 per kilo from P45 per kilo last month. 'We will maintain the MSRP even during the two-month rice import ban,' Tiu Laurel said in a statement. 'Throughout the suspension, we will closely monitor supply and market dynamics—especially among retailers, wholesalers, and importers—and take appropriate action to uphold market discipline,' he added. Marcos ordered the suspension of rice importation from September to October to stabilize palay prices, which have reportedly fallen to as low as P8 per kilo—far below production costs, even for the most efficient farmers, according to the DA. The duration of the suspension may be shortened or extended depending on price movements and the outcome of the main harvest in the coming months. Specialty rice varieties, such as Japanese, black, and basmati rice, will be exempt from the ban. Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry showed that total imported rice arrivals between January and July reached 2,443,337.556 metric tons, with pending Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSICs) covering an estimated 300,000 metric tons. The Philippines consumes roughly 9.8 kilos of rice per person per month (325.5 grams/day), according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Under the Rice Tariffication Law, the President has the authority to halt rice imports to safeguard local farmers and stabilize market prices. Tiu Laurel said the DA remains prepared to adjust policies if supply tightens while ensuring that both farmers and consumers receive fair prices. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
