MANILA, Philippines—The recent presidential directive lowering tariffs on rice imports from non-Asean countries was a cruel joke on rice farmers made right in the middle of Farmers’ Month and the feast day of Saint Isidore, the patron saint of Filipino farmers.
Executive Order No. 135 was issued on May 15, 2021 lowering both the 50 percent out-quota and the 40 percent minimum access volume (MAV) tariffs on rice imports to 35 percent for one year.The adjustment, which was recommended by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board, was purportedly intended to “diversify the country’s market sources, augment rice supply, maintain prices affordable and reduce pressures …
Keep on reading: Lowering rice tariffs, raising import volume a ‘cruel joke’