Contrary to some reports, President Rodrigo Duterte has not ordered the suspension of PH’s rice importation which is anticipated to quell farmers’ woes due to the Rice Tariffication Law. “As of this time, there is no order to stop rice importation given the Sec. Dar of the Department of Agriculture per the latter,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo was quoted by media as saying in a text message.

It was GMA News’ 24-Oras Weekend that reported Sunday claiming that “Duterte ordered the suspension of the rice importation.” The rice glut is partly blamed on the Rice Tariffication Law which opened the country’s doors to unimpeded importation of rice.

The United States’ Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Services (USDA-FAS) has even projected PH’s rice imports reached a record three million metric tons (MT) by year-end, making the Philippines the world’s biggest importer of rice this year.

Despite a big drop in prices of palay (unhusked rice) rice farmers of Barangay Mesulo, Arayat Pampanga engage themselves in a bountiful harvest.  (Mike Taboy/Benjie Cuaresma/IAMIGO/CNS)