Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is leaning toward recommending a 15- to 30-day extension of the rice importation moratorium, citing early signs of improvement in farmgate prices for palay since the temporary ban took effect.

The import freeze, ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., spans September and October to shield local farmers during the peak of the main harvest season. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expected to finalize its recommendation by the end of the month.

“Pending data validation, I am now inclined to recommend that the President extend the ban for at least 15 to 30 days,” Tiu Laurel said.

Preliminary DA data shows wet palay prices have climbed from a low of P8–P10 per kilo to P17 in parts of Mindanao, and P13–P14 in provinces like Isabela and Nueva Ecija. While still below the P14 production cost per kilo, the uptick offers a glimmer of relief for farmers.

Tiu Laurel emphasized that rice import volumes directly impact palay prices, reinforcing the rationale behind the seasonal suspension. He also reiterated the DA’s support for amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which liberalized rice imports in 2019.

Proposed changes would restore regulatory powers to the National Food Authority (NFA), allowing it to manage import volumes and intervene in the market alongside the DA. The amendments are being finalized in coordination with key lawmakers and officials, including Senator Francis Pangilinan, Rep. Mark Enverga, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III.

President Marcos has tagged the RTL amendment bill as a legislative priority, and Tiu Laurel noted that recent shifts in congressional leadership have not disrupted the agriculture committees’ momentum.