Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the Department of Agriculture (DA) will not impose a ban on rice imports during the looming El Niño, as the government focuses on ensuring adequate supply and stabilizing prices. He made the statement on the sidelines of a joint market inspection with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the New Las Piñas City Public Market, as reported by BusinessWorld.
The DA chief emphasized that instead of an import ban, the agency will rely on timely import arrivals and distribution measures to buffer any potential supply shortfall caused by dry weather. The El Niño phenomenon is expected to affect agricultural output, particularly rice, prompting the government to monitor inventories and coordinate with traders on import scheduling.
Industry observers note that the Philippines historically relies on rice imports to fill supply gaps, and a ban would risk tightening domestic availability at a time when global prices remain volatile. The DA's stance signals continuity in its import policy while it pursues longer-term productivity programs for local farmers.