MANILA, Philippines — Malacaang on Thursday assured local farmers the government will only import rice once the harvest season is over amid calls from some senators for President Rodrigo Duterte to withdraw his order lowering rice tariffs.
Senators said Executive Order No. 135 will only put more burden to local farmers and could cost the government millions in foregone revenues.
Under the said EO, the most favored nation (MFN) tariff rate for rice is reduced to 35 percent, from 40 percent for in-quota imports and 50 percent for out-quota imports.
“Paunawa po sa ating mga producers pero hinding hindi naman po tayo mag-aangkat sa panahon ng harvest,” presidential spokesperso…
Keep on reading: Gov’t to import rice only after local farmers’ harvest season, Palace assures