Agrarian group asks to restore rice import tariffs

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) has petitioned the Tariff Commission to reinstate rice import tariffs to 35% from Southeast Asia and 50% from other regions, arguing that Executive Order No. 62, which reduced tariffs to 15%, has been ineffective in lowering retail prices.

SINAG chairman Rosendo So cited Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.'s declaration of a food security emergency and the imposition of a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on imported rice as admissions of EO 62's failure.

The group highlighted that despite a drop in the landed price of imported rice, domestic prices increased from P51 per kilo in July 2024 to P55.30 per kilo in December 2024.

The gap between the landed cost of imported rice and domestic prices widened significantly from P3 per kilo in 2023 to P20 per kilo in 2024.

SINAG estimates that the reduction in tariffs resulted in P15 billion in foregone government revenue between July and December 2024, funds that could have supported farmers under the Rice Tariffication Law.

The association further estimated this year's foregone revenue to be P27 billion.