Manila, July 30 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for a modest increase in tariffs on imported rice to at least 25 percent from the current 15 percent, which will support local farmers.

This is part of the Marcos administration's target measure to gradually revert to the original 35 percent tariff on imported rice, a year after the implementation of reduced duties to help lower soaring retail rice prices.

DA Assistant Secretary and deputy spokesperson Joycel Panlilio said a gradual return to higher tariffs is now being considered to protect local farmers while avoiding shocks in the market.

"Tinitingnan percentage ng rice tariff natin (We are looking into our tariff percentage) for imported rice that's around 25 percent....