Manila, April 13 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered lower tariffs on imported food, faster processing of import permits and government purchase of excess farm produce as part of a broader push to stabilize food prices amid soaring fuel prices caused by the Middle East crisis.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Marcos said he has directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Tariff Commission to reduce taxes on key food imports to ease costs for consumers.

He emphasized that safeguards will remain in place to protect local producers.

"Hindi ito pwedeng gawing basta-basta... poprotektahan natin ang mga consumer, ang mga magsasaka at ang industriya (This cannot be done arbitrarily... we will protect consumers, fa...