MALOLOS, May 26 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it seeks to recommend the retention of a 15-percent tariff on imported rice to ensure the stability of the retail price.

In June 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order 62, which reduced the tariff on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent to lower retail prices by at least PHP7 per kilogram.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the need for a proper timing of tariff reversion.

"I will not increase for now dahil natapos na iyong harvest season dito at sa origin iyong mga nagbebenta (because the harvest season here and from the origin of exporting countries are already done)," he said in a media interview after meeting rice farm...