Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has expressed support for the government’s decision to extend the rice import ban until the end of the year, saying the move will help protect local farmers amid rising fuel costs and global market uncertainty.

“Beyond supporting local farmers and stabilizing the market, the extension comes at a crucial time,” Pangilinan said in a statement on Wednesday. 

He noted that the continued increase in fuel prices has pushed up production and transport costs for the agriculture sector, underscoring the need for timely, data-driven policy decisions.

The senator also cited the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) planned Command Center, set to be operational this month, as a key mechanism to make the rice sector more adaptive and responsive. 

According to Pangilinan, the center will enable real-time adjustments in palay floor prices and procurement, more efficient subsidy delivery, improved National Food Authority (NFA) buffer stock management, and market stabilization measures guided by data.

Pangilinan renewed his call for Malacañang to restore the tariff on imported rice to 35 percent from the current 15 percent, citing the need to empower local producers and recover lost revenues. 

Through Adopted Senate Resolution No. 29, he urged the government to reverse the lower tariff rate set under Executive Order No. 62, which he said caused farmgate prices to fall to P7.66 per kilo, well below the P13.51 average cost of production.

He added that restoring the 35 percent tariff could generate up to P47 billion in revenues, which should be channeled to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to assist farmers.

Pangilinan said the tariff adjustment, together with Executive Orders 100 and 101, which strengthen the palay floor price and implement the Sagip Saka Act in government procurement, would form a coherent policy framework aimed at supporting farmers and stabilizing rice prices.

He also emphasized that food self-sufficiency remains a vital goal for national security and economic resilience, urging collaboration among government, farmers, consumers, and the private sector to safeguard the country’s food supply.