By Kenneth Marcos 
Farmers and traders face uncertainty as Congress reviews DA’s 60-day import halt
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Filipino farmers and rice traders after the government suspended rice imports to stabilize prices. On Wednesday, lawmakers held a hearing to get clarity on the 60-day rice importation ban ordered by Malacañang.
Chaired by Quezon 1st District Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga of the House Committee on Agriculture and Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo of the Committee on Ways and Means, the joint hearing brought together key government agencies and stakeholders to assess the impact of Executive Order No. 93.
The order, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., temporarily halts the importation of regular-milled and well-milled rice for two months in an effort to support local farmers during harvest season and prevent a further drop in palay (unhusked rice) prices.
At the hearing, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. faced questions from lawmakers on how the suspension will affect rice supply, prices, and the livelihoods of both farmers and consumers. He was joined by officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).
Also in attendance were representatives of rice millers, importers, traders, and farmers’ groups, many of whom expressed concern about the lack of clear guidelines and the potential rise in retail rice prices during the import freeze.
“We support helping our farmers,” said one farmer group leader during the session. “But we need assurance that the support will reach us and that traders won’t take advantage by hiking prices.”
Rep. Quimbo questioned how the ban aligns with the country’s supply needs, especially with reports of low buffer stocks and ongoing weather disruptions caused by El Niño. “We don’t want to solve one problem and create another,” he said.
According to the DA, the country has enough rice to last until the end of the year, but admitted that logistics, market behavior, and weather conditions could affect stability. Secretary Laurel emphasized that the order is part of a broader effort to help farmers earn more from their harvest, which often gets sold at low prices due to competition from cheap imports.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that the average farmgate price of palay fell to around ₱16–₱18 per kilo in some areas, below the production cost of many farmers. With the import ban in place, the government hopes domestic buyers will purchase more local rice, allowing farmers to earn better prices.
But industry players warned that without a clear long-term plan, the temporary ban could lead to price spikes in the market, especially if demand rises or supply chains face disruptions. Importers also asked for clearer guidelines on what will happen after the 60-day period ends.
The PCC called for close monitoring to ensure no collusion or price manipulation takes place, especially from dominant players in the rice trade.
For now, lawmakers are urging the DA to improve coordination with other agencies and ensure timely information reaches both producers and consumers. Some suggested direct rice purchases from farmers by the National Food Authority (NFA), alongside localized market interventions to prevent sudden price jumps.
The joint hearing is expected to continue in the coming weeks as Congress seeks better safeguards for the country’s food supply chain while protecting the welfare of both farmers and ordinary Filipino consumers.
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