Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told reporters that the implementing rules and regulations of the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act could require rice importers to set up post-harvest facilities, such as mills and drying systems, to qualify for import quotas. The proposal aims to strengthen the domestic rice industry by ensuring importers contribute to local post-harvest capacity.
Under the draft rules, importers would need to establish or secure access to these facilities to be eligible for import allocations. The Department of Agriculture is consulting stakeholders to finalize the regulations, which are expected to be published before the next import window.
The move is part of broader efforts under the RICE Act to boost food security and support local farmers. Industry groups have expressed mixed reactions, with some citing increased costs for importers while others see benefits in improving post-harvest infrastructure.