00:00It is possible that the rice import of the Philippines will rise to the all-time high of 4.7 million metric tons before the end of the year, according to the Department of Agriculture.
00:09This is to counter the effects of the local production of natural disasters in the country.
00:15In fact, the actual import of 4.48 million metric tons as of December 12, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry.
00:23Meanwhile, according to the DA, the rice importation was declared due to lower prices.
00:29This is also the reason behind the government's efforts to stop the smuggling of rice.
