00:00On today's occasion, celebrating Farm Workers' Day, the President declared a two-month moratorium on rice importations,
00:07paying heed to the spine of the nation's sector, pleading for outright dismissal of an allegedly failed rice terrification law
00:14that favors imported grain over homegrown staple. Our Kenneth Paschente fills us in with more.
00:22To ensure that local farmers do not suffer losses, President Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr. has ordered the suspension of rice importation
00:29for 60 days. This was the President's decision after consulting with Cabinet members who accompanied him
00:35during his estate visit to India. The said suspension will take effect starting September 1.
00:40According to the Palace, this is the President's directive to protect local farmers, especially during the harvest season.
00:47The Department of Agriculture or DA also emphasized that based on their forecast, domestic harvest is expected to be high
00:53on top of NFA's significant rice stocks.
00:59The Palace further explained that this move is also meant to protect farmers from abusive traders.
01:27Meanwhile, the President also said that it is not yet the right time to discuss increasing tariffs,
01:57its unimported rice. The DA earlier recommended a gradual increase in rice import tariffs to balance the needs of both farmers and consumers.
02:05From New Delhi, India, Kenneth Paschente from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
