September 27, 2023
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has rejected a proposal to reduce tariffs on imported rice.
“It was not the right time to lower the tariff rates because the projection of world rice prices is that it will go down. So, this is not the right time to lower tariffs,” the Chief Executive said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Tariffs are generally lowered when the price is going up,” he explained.
The decision was made in consultation with the economic managers, namely officials from Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and National Development Economic Authority (Neda).
DBM and Neda had previously sought to suspend rice tariffs in a bid to control the high prices of rice in the country.
If it had pushed through, special taxes imposed on imported rice would have been reduced or removed.
The price cap on rice is still in effect in order to control rampant increase in the cost of this commodity.