Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved a ‘trigger-based’ rice tariff mechanism designed to automatically adjust import duties depending on global prices as part of the government’s effort to stabilize rice costs and protect farmers.

According to Philippines News Agency, Executive Order (EO) No. 105, signed on Friday, maintains the existing 15 percent tariff on rice imports until December 31, 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, the rate will adjust automatically by 5 percentage points for every 5 percent movement in world rice prices, within a range of 15 percent to 35 percent. The new mechanism replaces the flat tariff system under EO 62 (s. 2024), aimed at balancing consumer protection and farmgate support.

The automatic tariff mechanism is designed to ensure price stability for Filipino consumers while safeguarding fair income for local farmers. To manage the new policy, President Marcos established an Inter-Agency Group on Rice Tariff Adjustment. This group is tasked with determining trigger levels, monitoring global rice trends, and issuing certifications when adjustments are warranted.

The group will consist of the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs. The Palace emphasized that the interagency body will ensure ‘timely and evidence-based’ tariff shifts while coordinating policy measures to maintain supply stability and curb speculative pricing.

This mechanism is part of the government’s ongoing food security drive, following months of volatile rice prices. The tariff will remain at 15 percent for all rice imports, both within and outside quota, until the end of 2025.