DA to keep QR on rice imports for 2 more years

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has maintained its position on the country's need to retain the quantitative restriction (QR) for imported rice for two more years. This time, citing legal bottlenecks that would arise after the QR is lifted.

“The DA holds on to its original position that was developed after a nationwide consultation... that Filipino rice farmers should be given another two years to prepare them for the eventual entry of imported rice,” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said yesterday.

“We believe that our rice farmers are not yet ready, though no fault of theirs, to compete with imported rice,” he added.

The DA then decided not to endorse the proposed amendment of the Tariff Code to lift the QR on rice and would instead endorse the extension of Executive Order No. 190 that imposed tariff rates for imported agricultural products, rice among them.

Piñol said the DA is now counting on the reluctance of congressmen and senators to pass a new law amending the Tariff Code that will implement the lifting of the QR on imported rice.

“Even if the QR will be lifted by June 30, 2017, there will not be unregulated importation of rice without the implementation of the amendment to the Tariff Code,” the DA secretary pointed out.

If this happens, he noted that the Philippine government would have to inform the WTO that it has no option but to follow the democratic process and await Congress’ action on bills amending the Tariff Code.

“We believe it will be a status quo (on the QR on rice)… until the Tariff Code is amended,” Piñol said.

"You cannot shortcut the democratic processes, these (chambers of Congress) are constitutional bodies, you cannot dictate on Congress to amend the Tariff Code if they do not want to (do so),” he added.