November 9, 2025

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Malacañang issued Executive Order No. 105, extending the 15 percent tax on imported rice until December 31, 2025, and establishing the Inter-Agency Group on Rice Tariff Adjustment to monitor and adjust rice import taxes in response to changes in world market prices.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s EO 105 also provides for tariff adjustments, effective January 1, 2026, based on movements in international rice prices, with rates ranging from 15 to 35 percent.

“Section 2 provides that the MFN (Most Favored Nation) rates of duty on rice, both in-quota and out-quota, under EO No. 62 (modifying the nomenclature and rates of import duty on various products) shall be maintained until 31 December 2025,” EO 105 added.

The order provides that “beginning 01 January 2026, the MFN rates of duty on rice shall be: increased by five (5) percentage points per five percent (5%) decrease in international rice prices; or decreased by five (5) percentage points per five percent (5%) increase in international rice prices.”

“However, the MFN rates of duty on rice, both in-quota and out-quota, shall in no case be below 15% or above 35%,” EO 105 stated.

The directive also added that Inter-Agency GRTA shall be composed of representatives from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Finance, and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs.

The Inter-Agency Group was directed to formulate the guidelines necessary to implement this Order, including the determination of the thresholds, certification by the DA that said thresholds or trigger price levels have been reached, monitoring period, and other relevant details regarding the adjustment of the MFN rates of duty on rice.

The Constitution provides that the State shall pursue a trade policy that serves the general welfare and Republic Act (RA) No. 10863 or the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act” empowers the President, in the interest of general welfare and national security…to increase or reduce at any level and/or remove existing rates of import duty, in one or several stages.

RA No. 8178 or the “Agricultural Tariffication Act,” authorizes the President to increase, reduce, revise, or adjust existing rates of import duty up to the bound rate committed by the Philippines under the World Trade Agreement on Agriculture and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, including any necessary change in classification applicable to the importation of rice.

EO 62 set forth the MFN tariff rates on rice at 15% for both in-quota and out-quota, subject to review every four months.

The Economy and Development (ED) Council resolved to maintain the MFN tariff rate on rice at 15% until 31 December 2025, both for in-quota and out-quota, and to implement a mechanism for adjusting the MFN tariff rate on rice in accordance with international market conditions starting 1 January 2026.- PND

November 8, 2025

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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order No. 104, temporarily reducing the import duty on tin-mill blackplate (TMBP)—the primary material used in producing tin plates and tin-free steel used in cans for canned food—to help stabilize the supply chain and lower production costs in the country’s canned food industry.

By the authority of President Marcos, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed the measure, endorsed by the Economy and Development Council, which seeks to revitalize local tin plate and tin-free steel manufacturing—key components in food packaging—amid the absence of domestic TMBP production.

The new tariff rates will take effect and remain in force for three years, subject to review after one year.

“At present, there is no local production of TMBP, and there is also no local product that can substitute for said commodity,” EO No. 104 stated.

TMBP serves as the main material in the production of Tin Plate (TP) and Tin-Free Steel (TFS), which are primarily used in the canned food industry.

According to the Economy and Development (ED) Council, temporarily modifying the rate of import duty on TMBP will revitalize domestic TP and TFS industries, promoting consumer welfare by stabilizing the supply chain, lowering production costs, generating employment, and fostering a favorable environment for investment.

On 20 August 2025, the ED Council endorsed the reduction of the Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate on TMBP.

The Palace stated that all other issuances, administrative rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with EO 104 are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

In issuing the EO, the Palace cited Section 13, Article XI of the Constitution, which mandates the State to pursue a trade policy that serves the general welfare, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act,” which empowers the President—upon the recommendation of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev)—to adjust existing import duty rates in the interest of general welfare and national security. – PND

Palace suspends gov’t work and classes on Monday

November 9, 2025

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Malacañang has ordered the suspension of work in government offices on Monday, November 10, as well as classes in several regions on November 10 and 11, due to the expected major impacts of Super Typhoon Uwan.

By the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular No. 106, which provided that government work in the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, MIMAROPA, Bicol and Eastern Visayas will be suspended on November 10.

MC 106 indicated that classes at all levels in those regions, including Regions VI, VII, and the Negros Island Region, are suspended for two days.

“Upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and in view of the forecasted major impacts that will be brought about by Super Typhoon “Uwan”, work in government offices in the NCR, CAR, and Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V and VIII is hereby suspended on 10 November 2025,” the memorandum circular added.

“Further, classes at all levels in the aforementioned Regions, Region VI (Western Visayas), Region VII (Central Visayas), and the Negros Island Region are also suspended on 10 and 11 November 2025,” MC 106 stated.

The memorandum also provided that government agencies responsible for basic, vital and health services, preparedness and response duties must continue to remain operational.

“To further ensure continuity of essential government functions, all other government agencies in the aforementioned regions may implement alternate work arrangements, as may be necessary, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations,” the order added.

MC 106 stated that” the localized cancellation or suspension of classes and/or work in government offices in other regions may be implemented by their respective Local Chief Executives, pursuant to relevant laws, rules and regulations.”

The order said the suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.- PND