Manila, Oct. 6 -- House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III on Monday appealed to the government's economic managers to restore the 35 percent tariff on imported rice to protect farmers and strengthen the country's rice industry.

"May I reiterate na kung maaari lang na ibalik natin ang 35 percent na taripa (of possible, restore the 35 percent tariff)? Please," Dy said during the joint hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga, and the Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo.

He said that together with other farmer-centered reforms, the government should undertake reforms to the tariff system for the tariff to return to 35 percent from the cu...