Malacañang on Wednesday said the government will intensify price monitoring and coordinate with rice industry stakeholders to keep prices stable once the 60-day suspension of rice imports takes effect next month.
According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured that it will enforce the maximum suggested retail price and conduct weekly nationwide monitoring of rice supply.
“The DA is also engaging farmers, millers, and traders to prevent price manipulation,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.
She added that the ongoing harvest season will boost local supply, easing concerns over shortages during the temporary import halt.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced the import suspension during his state visit to India earlier this month, saying the measure was meant to shield Filipino farmers from depressed palay prices during the peak harvest season.
The ban, set to begin in September, will cover both government-to-government and private importation of rice.
Castro said Malacañang is still finalizing the issuance that will formally implement the suspension: “On this issue, we will provide more updates tomorrow.”
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel earlier said Marcos was open to extending the suspension to 90 days if needed, though Castro clarified that the duration remains at 60 days pending further discussions.
The move is part of the administration’s broader effort to balance farmer protection with consumer access to affordable rice, a politically sensitive staple in the country.
The Philippines remains one of the world’s largest rice importers, sourcing a significant portion of its supply from Vietnam, Thailand, and other Asian producers.
