The Department of Agriculture said Thursday that a temporary restraining order on an executive order lowering the tariff on imported rice could have an adverse impact on the country’s rice stocks.“In general, if there will be a TRO… the TRO is not good for our rice stocks because it will cause delay in the importation of our private importers,” DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said at a press briefing in Quezon City.
De Mesa said a TRO could have a “hesitation effect” among rice importers as they would be uncertain if they could import rice at lower tariff rates, thus causing possible delay in importation.“If there will be a delay in importation, it will also cause an impact on our national stock inventory,” he said.“Of course, a TRO can also delay the anticipated price decline in the market,” he added.Nevertheless, the DA official said the government is “always ready” should a TRO be issued against EO 62.