Last-ditch effort vs lower rice tariffs pushed
The Philippine Star|June 18, 2024
Industry groups are racing against time to convince President Marcos to reverse his decision to slash rice tariffs to 15 percent, the lowest rate in the country’s history.
JASPER ARCALAS

Leonardo Montemayor, a former agriculture secretary, said farmers groups are trying their best to secure a face-to-face audience with Marcos to air their concerns regarding the tariff reduction.

They hope to convince him against lowering the tariffs before he issues an executive order (EO) to implement the country’s new comprehensive tariff program.

Montemayor and other leaders of agricultural groups have been meeting with Cabinet secretaries to discuss the decision of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by Marcos, to lower rice tariffs to 15 percent from 35 percent at present.

The latest dialogue that they had was with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel in a meeting last week.

Sources told The STAR that the stakeholders sought Tiu Laurel’s help in seeking an audience with Marcos.

They also also met with Finance Secretary Ralph Recto to discuss the issue earlier this month.

“We will do our best to appeal to the President [and have a] faceto-face meeting [with him],” Montemayor said.

This story is from the June 18, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 18, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINE STARView All
Veteran actresses Jean and Jackie Lou share bits & pieces about working on ‘Widows' War'
The Philippine Star

Veteran actresses Jean and Jackie Lou share bits & pieces about working on ‘Widows' War'

A multi-layered, nuanced whodunit drama needs established stars who can hold the audience’s attention and keep them thinking instead of guessing.

time-read
4 mins  |
July 08, 2024
The Philippine Star

DOTr's 2025 budget P20 B short of target

A number of mobility projects and their social components may have to wait for further funding as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was given an appropriation for 2025 that is short by P20 billion from what it originally proposed.

time-read
1 min  |
July 08, 2024
The Philippine Star

Rice tariff collections up 34% to P23 B in H1

Rice tariff collections in the first semester rose by more than a third on a yearly basis to over P23 billion, driven by elevated import volume coupled by higher import prices, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 08, 2024
The Philippine Star

Marketing woes, red tape stall DOF's P40-B privatization goal

The Department of Finance (DOF) is having difficulties in disposing of the state’s assets, raising zero out of the P40billion target as of the first half of the year, amid poor marketing plan and bureaucratic red tape.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 08, 2024
The Philippine Star

Foreign group seen taking majority stake in Dito CME

Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy could be poised to give up his controlling stake in listed holding company Dito CME Holdings Corp. in favor of a group backed by foreign investors.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 08, 2024
The Philippine Star

With nearly all reelectionists, PSE names new board

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) has appointed its new board of directors, 14 of whom were reelected during its annual stockholders’ meeting Saturday.

time-read
1 min  |
July 08, 2024
The Philippine Star

Stocks on upward bias as inflation slows down

The stock market is seen resuming its climb this week as investors are expected to capitalize on the momentum provided by the country’s lower June inflation print.

time-read
1 min  |
July 08, 2024
The Philippine Star

'Still too early to declare victory against inflation'

Even as headline inflation surprised to the downside in June and stayed within the central bank’s two to four percent target, it is still premature to proclaim a definitive victory over inflation, the top official of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas BSP) said.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 08, 2024
MISSING PARIS. NATS' SIGHTS NOW ON '28 LA
The Philippine Star

MISSING PARIS. NATS' SIGHTS NOW ON '28 LA

Gilas Pilipinas got its trial by fire against elite teams from Europe and South America in pursuit of a coveted Paris Olympics berth and came up short.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 08, 2024
Biden back on campaign trail as pressure mounts
The Philippine Star

Biden back on campaign trail as pressure mounts

WASHINGTON AFP) US President Joe Biden heads back out on the campaign trail Sunday, desperate to salvage his reelection bid as senior Democrats meet to discuss growing calls that he quit the White House race.

time-read
1 min  |
July 08, 2024