Manila, Sept. 2 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said select shipments of imported rice may still enter the Philippines through four ports until Sept. 15 despite the 60-day import ban that took effect Monday.

The ban was imposed as the local palay (unhusked rice) harvest begins.

Ports that will allow entry of imported rice within the next two weeks are the ports of Manila, Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the policy covers only imported rice that were shipped before the onset of the import halt.

"Base doon sa nilabas na order ng BPI (Bureau of Plant Industry), kailangan 'yung bigas na i-import ay makalabas doon sa bansa na pinanggalingan before the end of August at...