MANILA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the "unimpeded importation" of rice as a measure to reduce soaring food prices in the country, the presidential palace official said on Tuesday.
The Philippines' headline inflation rose in September to 6.7 percent year-on-year from 6.4 percent in August. Inflation in September continued to be driven by supply-side factors as food prices remained elevated.
Rice inflation rose to double-digit rates in September due to tightness in domestic supply amid the ongoing lean season and weather-related disruptions.
"The president ordered the unimpeded importation of rice. He wants to flood the market with rice so that even if the price of crude and other oil prices should go up still further, that the people will have access to affordable rice," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told a news conference at Malacanang, the presidential palace.
Roque added that the lifting of restrictions allows big private companies to import rice.
"There are no more restrictions as long as they pay the tariff and they use the tariff for the Philippine rice farmers," he added.
According to Roque, the Duterte administration is working swiftly to temper the rise in the prices of goods and offer relief to the poor who are feeling the hit of a faster inflation rate. Enditem
