Para maiwasan ang rice shortage! Palace defends EO lowering rice tariffs

By Prince Golez

Malacañang on Thursday defended the executive order (EO) temporarily lowering tariffs on imported rice for one year.

In his virtual presser, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said EO 135, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed last May 15, aims to address the 10 percent shortfall in the country’s rice supply.

“Ang iniiwasan natin, bagamat meron po tayong napakataas ng ani ng bigas ngayon, meron pa rin tayong shortfall ng mga 10 percent. Ang iniiwasan natin is yung maapektuhan ang ating rice security,” according to Roque.

The EO reduced the most favored nation tariff rates on imported rice to 35 percent from 40 percent (in-quota) and 50 percent (out-quota) for one year.

“Ito po ay para masiguro na ang 10 percent na kakailangan pa natin despite the bumper harvest this year ay makukuha natin sa mababang halaga kaya po bahagyang binaba ang taripa,” the Palace official said.

“Kung tataas naman ang presyo ng bigas, makakaapekto na naman yan (at) magresulta sa mas mataas na inflation,” he furthered.

Roque was reacting to a proposed Senate resolution urging the Palace to withdraw EO 135 as this could put more burden on local farmers, increase import dependency, and cost the government millions in foregone revenues.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)