MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 93 suspending the importation of regular and well-milled rice for 60 days, effective September 1 until October 30, 2025.

Under EO 93 dated August 29, Marcos said the suspension was based on the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to protect the country’s agricultural sector.

“Upon the recommendation of the DA, the importation of regular milled and well-milled rice is hereby suspended. The suspension of importation shall not cover specialty rice varieties not commonly produced by local farmers,” the President said.

The EO states that the period of suspension may be shortened or extended, as may be necessary, upon the joint recommendation of the DA, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DA, DEPDev, and DTI were directed to convene within 30 days of the EO’s effectivity to evaluate the impact of the suspension on rice supply and prices. They are required to submit a joint recommendation to the President, through the Executive Secretary, within 15 days from their meeting.

According to the EO, the DA reported on August 8 a “sharp decrease in the price of rice across the market” due to strong local production in the early part of the year and the heavy arrival of imported rice in recent months following reduced tariffs.

“According to the DA, there is a need to suspend the importation of regular milled and well-milled rice for 60 days, which will coincide with the peak of harvest season, to enable the domestic market to absorb the local supply, stabilize prices, and help Filipino farmers sell their palay at a fair and reasonable price,” the EO said.

Republic Act 12078 Section 3 empowers the President to suspend or prohibit rice importation for a limited period whenever there is an excessive supply of imported or locally produced rice resulting in an extraordinary decrease in local prices.

The DA, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs and the DTI, was tasked to immediately issue implementing guidelines, including enforcement and monitoring mechanisms, to ensure the order’s successful implementation.MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 93 suspending the importation of regular and well-milled rice for 60 days, effective September 1 until October 30, 2025.

Under EO 93 dated August 29, Marcos said the suspension was based on the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to protect the country’s agricultural sector.

“Upon the recommendation of the DA, the importation of regular milled and well-milled rice is hereby suspended. The suspension of importation shall not cover specialty rice varieties not commonly produced by local farmers,” the President said.

The EO states that the period of suspension may be shortened or extended, as may be necessary, upon the joint recommendation of the DA, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DA, DEPDev, and DTI were directed to convene within 30 days of the EO’s effectivity to evaluate the impact of the suspension on rice supply and prices. They are required to submit a joint recommendation to the President, through the Executive Secretary, within 15 days from their meeting.

According to the EO, the DA reported on August 8 a “sharp decrease in the price of rice across the market” due to strong local production in the early part of the year and the heavy arrival of imported rice in recent months following reduced tariffs.

“According to the DA, there is a need to suspend the importation of regular milled and well-milled rice for 60 days, which will coincide with the peak of harvest season, to enable the domestic market to absorb the local supply, stabilize prices, and help Filipino farmers sell their palay at a fair and reasonable price,” the EO said.

Republic Act 12078 Section 3 empowers the President to suspend or prohibit rice importation for a limited period whenever there is an excessive supply of imported or locally produced rice resulting in an extraordinary decrease in local prices.

The DA, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs and the DTI, was tasked to immediately issue implementing guidelines, including enforcement and monitoring mechanisms, to ensure the order’s successful implementation.