Cheaper rice to be available by mid-March —DTI chief

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez on Tuesday said cheaper rice would be available in the market starting mid-March or by the time imported rice start arriving in the country.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Lopez said the price of imported rice could be as low as P32 per kilo.

"Immediately rin po dahil kaya nga ho ginawa natin na upon effectivity nung batas, which is estimated to be March 3, mag-uumpisa na mag-import 'yung mga gustong mag-import," Lopez said.

"So give it mga one week or two weeks siguro, middle of March to end of March, magdadatingan 'yung mga, well, ito 'yung mga importation na magpupuno lang sa merkado," he added.

It was announced that tariffed regime on rice imports will begin on March 3 as well as the transfer of the National Food Authority (NFA) to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed last week that President Rodrigo Duterte approved the measure imposing a 35-percent tariff on imports from neighbors in Southeast Asia.

The measure allows unlimited importation of rice as long as private sector traders secure a phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry and pay the 35-percent tariff on shipments from Southeast Asia.

The measure drew criticisms, especially from farmer groups, with Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas saying that it is “equivalent to a death sentence for the local rice industry and rice farmers.”

Lopez said the government would provide assistance to local farmers.

"As we speak, ang DA may budget sa agriculture sector. Ang inaano ho namin ngayon, i-consolidate nila at ibigay kaagad sa mga farmers. Hindi puwedeng mahuli 'yung tulong sa mga farmers," Lopez said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News