Farmers groups eye challenging rice import tariff cut

Farm sector groups are set to challenge in court the recent National  Economic and Development Authority Board decision to cut tariff rates on imported rice.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa GTV on Saturday, Federation of Free Farmers Chairman Leonardo Montemayor said agriculture groups would decide on Sunday whether to seek a legal remedy, such as a temporary restraining order (TRO), should President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. issue an Executive Order implementing the tariff cuts.

The NEDA Board approved the reduction of rice's duty rate to 15% for both in-quota and out-quota rates until 2028.

The Board also approved maintaining until 2028 the reduced tariff rates on corn, pork, and mechanically deboned meat under EO No. 50, series of  2023.

“Malaking dagok po sa amin 'yan,” Montemayor said. “Ang direktang makikinabang dito ay importers... Tariff cuts, do not solve the problem.”

FFF along with Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, Agricultural Sector  Alliance of the Philippines, among other farm sector groups, are set to announce on Sunday, June 9, their collective action against the import tariff cuts. — DVM, GMA Integrated News