Ched Rick Gatchalian

Workers unload 420 thousand sacks of rice at the port of Manila in Tondo on Thursday. The rice shipment from Thailand is part of the contingency supply to augment the buffer stock as the dry spell continues to affect supply from rice-producing provinces. Photo: ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Rice importers vowed to lessen importation in March, April to support local farmers – DA chief

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177097443240220150528-rice-thailand-aa.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Workers unload 420 thousand sacks of rice at the port of Manila in Tondo on Thursday. The rice shipment from Thailand is part of the contingency supply to augment the buffer stock as the dry spell continues to affect supply from rice-producing provinces. <em>ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Rice importers have vowed to lessen importation in March and April to help local farmers out, according Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.</p><p>Tiu Laurel said rice imports were at an average of around 400,000 metric tons a month, but importers said they would limit this to just 150,000 MT for harvest season.</p><p>“Hindi order ‘yun. It’s a voluntary measure among industry and the DA. So nagtutulungan ho lahat ngayon sa kapakanan ng ating mga farmers (So, we are working together for the welfare of rice farmers),” the agriculture secretary said in San Juan on Friday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/2/13/expansion-of-p20-rice-program-to-metro-manila-lgus-launched-in-san-juan-1658">Expansion of P20 rice program to Metro Manila LGUs launched in San Juan</a></div><p>The ban on rice importation was lifted in January, with Tiu Laurel saying “things should normalize by — latest mid-March.&quot;</p><p>He said rice prices will go down towards harvest season. </p><div> </div><div><strong>SUPPLY ENOUGH FOR EXPANSION OF P20 RICE PROGRAM</strong></div><p>Following the launch of the expansion of the government’s P20/kg rice program in Metro Manila local government units (LGU), Tiu Laurel said he expects the supply would be enough to sustain the rollout.</p><p>Sale of the subsidized rice is limited to 10kg per household per month and at 30kg a month for PWDs, senior citizens and single parents.</p><p>“Marami tayong stock na bigas ngayon (We have a lot of rice in stock right now),” Tiu Laurel told the media.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/1/22/rice-importation-resumes-after-four-month-ban-1752">Rice importation resumes after four-month ban</a></div>

<p>Rice importers vowed to lessen importation in March and April to help out local farmers, according to Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.</p>

Rice importers vowed to lessen importation in March and April to help out local farmers, according to Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

Importers agree to bring in less rice in March, April to help local farmers – Agri chief

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Business

Importers agree to bring in less rice in March, April to help local farmers – Agri chief

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 13, 2026 05:35 PM PHT

|

Updated Feb 13, 2026 05:57 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Agriculture

Rice

Importation

Harvest season

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.