MANILA, Philippines — Opposition lawmakers at the House of Representatives are calling on President Rodrigo Duterte to suspend the implementation of the Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Liberalization Law that removed importation limits on rice. Duterte signed the measure last February 14, and its implementing rules and regulations were issued later in April. The law replaces quantitative restrictions on imported rice with tariffs or taxes. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Rice tariffication signed into lawREAD: IRR for rice tariffication law out; cheaper rice prices seenAgriculture Secretary Emannuel Piñol earlier said the law would stabilize prices of the staple food and would make farmers “competitive” if the tariff collected would be invested in local farms.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 28, 2019 08:37 UTC