Manila, July 2 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday appealed to importers to temporarily halt the entry of 5-percent broken imported rice to support Filipino farmers.

This is part of the government's efforts, in partnership with local stakeholders, to prevent a similar scenario when farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice) dropped to PHP8 per kilo during the 2025 wet harvest season.

In an interview, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the call came amid the planting season, in preparation for the wet harvest beginning in September.

"Hindi na tayo papayag na ipapasok ang 5 percent broken na ipapasok sa Pilipinas, starting now. 25 percent or worse lang ang pwede nilang ipasok (We will no longer allow the entry of 5 p...