President Ferdinand Marcos announced he is open to cut short or extend the duration of the upcoming 60-day suspension of rice importation upon the recommendation of his economic team.
In a three-page Executive Order (EO) No. 93 he issued through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, the chief executive said the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) submit to him their assessment if there is any need to change the extent of the suspension.
The three agencies will convene every 30 days from the effectivity of the issuance 29 August 2025 “to evaluate the effects of the suspension of the importation on the supply and prices of rice in the country” to joint recommendation on the matter to his office.
The importation suspension will cover imported regular milled and well-milled rice, and exempt specialty rice varieties not commonly produced by local farmers.
It will take effect from 1 September 2025 until 30 October 2025 unless extended or cut short by the President.
DA was also tasked to oversee the implementation of the EO 93 and makes sure that the country’s rice supply will be sufficient during the importation freeze.
The Palace earlier said measures are in place to keep the price of rice stable amid the importation ban through strict enforcement of the maximum suggested retail price, price monitoring, and coordination with farmers and retailers will keep rice prices in check.
It also said DA will also expand the implementation of the P20 per kilo rice program so it can benefit more consumers.
The agency will coordinate with the Bureau of Customs and the DTI to issue the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the Order.
Malacañang first announced the rice ban as early 6 August 2025 “to enable the domestic market to absorb the local supply, stabilize prices and help Filipino farmers sell their palay at a fair and reasonable price.”
DA reported the need for importation suspension due to the strong local production of rice earlier this year and to the surge of imported rice in previous months.
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