In this episode of MoneyTalks with Cathy Yang on One News PH, PIDS Senior Research Fellow Dr. Roehlano Briones shares his expert take on the decision to suspend rice imports and its implications for farmers, consumers, and the rice market.
Citing the steady decline in rice prices since mid-2023, Dr. Briones explains how the two-month suspension may halt the drop in palay prices but could also limit the gains for consumers from lower retail prices. He stresses the need to balance protecting farmers' incomes with ensuring affordable rice for poor households, and points to direct income support as a more targeted approach.
“If we place weight on gains from consumers, we should not be that hasty in extending the import suspension.”
Dr. Briones also underscores the deeper challenge facing Philippine agriculture—long-term stagnation in productivity growth—and calls for medium- to long-term solutions to make the sector more resilient to shocks.
Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/eLAPoCa0jfA?si=dXe94Bd4wVx4DU6a
