The Department of Agriculture (DA) has warned importers against falling for a scam involving fake rice-import allocations being peddled by unscrupulous groups seeking quick profit.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said his office has received reports that certain individuals are offering supposed “allocations” that would allow importers to bring in rice as early as December.
He reiterated that the rice-import moratorium remains in effect until December 31, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to stabilize palay prices and protect farmers from further financial strain.
The initial two-month import freeze imposed in September helped lift palay prices in provinces such as Isabela and Nueva Ecija to P13 to P14 per kilo, up from lows of around P8 before the ban.
But as the harvest season peaked and the moratorium approached its original expiry, farm-gate prices again softened, prompting the government to extend the freeze through year-end.
Despite this, solicitation forms have reportedly circulated among rice millers, importers, and traders in Cebu, falsely claiming that signatories “will be able to import by December” and receive guaranteed allocations.
The DA urged stakeholders to be vigilant and to immediately report any similar solicitations.
