‘Concerns’ preventing Duterte from signing Rice Tariffication Law

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MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has not signed the Rice Tariffication Bill due to “concerns” raised by some stakeholders.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said this after Duterte met with rice industry stakeholders in Malacañang on Wednesday.

Rice industry groups met with the President and asked that he veto certain provisions of the bill.

Lopez said the President had a “positive meeting” with the stakeholders.

“President was willing to hear out the rice farmers/millers concerns and asked them to put in a position paper so we in Cabinet can consider as we draft the IRR for the ratified bill to be passed,” he told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

The bill, when signed into law, would let rice imports flow freely into the country after problems in the staple’s supply pushed inflation to new highs last year.

It would also impose a tariff of between 35 and 50 percent.

“The policy of rice tariffication stays, with the provision of direct safety nets and productivity enhancement support to the rice industry and farmers, as stipulated in the bill,” Lopez said.

But asked why the President has yet to sign the bill, Lopez said, “Pag ayos na or covered na these concerns.”

He was referring to the “direct safety nets and productivity enhancement support to the rice industry and farmers.” He did not elaborate.

The bill reached the Office of the President on January 15.

He said “the President believes in giving what is best for the greatest number of Filipinos.”

“He believes in the principle of and benefits of having lesser government intervention and allowing the interplay of market forces, while providing the needed safety nets to affected sectors,” he said. /cbb