Farmers group questions rice import ban plan

The Philippine government's plan to ban rice imports during the local harvest season is being questioned by the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) as deceptive and legally untenable.

This proposed ban was presented as a compromise following President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order (EO) 135, which temporarily reduced rice import tariffs from non-ASEAN countries.

Farmers fear that EO 135 will lead to a flood of cheap imports, depressing local palay prices, despite assurances from the government that imports would be halted during harvest.

The FFF argued that rice prices are stable, import flows are normal, and rice inventories are at comfortable levels, questioning the necessity of EO 135.

Senators, including Franklin Drilon and Francis Pangilinan, have also urged Malacañang to withdraw EO 135, citing potential burdens on farmers, increased import dependency, and foregone government revenues.