MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said he is inclined to recommend to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. an extension of the temporary rice importation moratorium by at least 15 to 30 days, citing signs of improvement in local palay prices.

The moratorium, which covers September and October, was ordered by President Marcos to shield farmers during the peak of the main harvest season. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expected to submit its recommendation on whether to extend or lift the ban by the end of the month.

“Pending data validation, I am now inclined to recommend that the President extend the ban for at least 15 to 30 days,” Tiu Laurel said.

According to DA monitoring, farmgate prices of wet palay have rebounded in recent weeks. From lows of P8 to P10 per kilo before the suspension, prices have climbed to P17 in some parts of Mindanao, and P13 to P14 in provinces like Isabela and Nueva Ecija.

The agriculture chief noted that while these prices are still not profitable for most farmers, they are an improvement compared to pre-ban levels. Production costs average P14 per kilo, dropping to P12 for the most efficient producers.

Tiu Laurel said the volume of imported rice remains a critical factor in domestic palay prices, which justified the suspension of imports during harvest.

He reiterated DA’s support for amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to restore limited regulatory powers to the National Food Authority, particularly in managing imports and stabilizing supply.

The DA chief is scheduled to meet with Senate agriculture committee chair Sen. Francis Pangilinan, House agriculture committee chair Rep. Mark Enverga, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III to finalize proposed RTL amendments before submitting them to President Marcos.

Tiu Laurel added that recent changes in the Senate and House leadership have not affected the agriculture committees, which will steer the legislative push for the proposed reforms.