Economy and Development (Ed) the council approved the to recommend allowing more Flexible Rice Tariff Scheme to start By 2026, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) said.
“Starting Jan. 1, 2026, a more flexible tariff adjustment will be adopted, will be adopted, with an adjustment of 5% by 5% of the country’s prices of 15%,” Phvev said in a statement on Tuesday.
This was a recommendation presented by the Finance and Related Affairs Committee (TRMC).
However, this is short of the demand of the waiting groups to refund the price of rice 35, to hit the low price of flooding the market with more imports and gutting farm prices.
The ED council also approved the TRMC’s recommendation to maintain the country’s current preferential recommendation on rice imports at 15% Until December 31, because both in-quota and imported.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, JR. issued Order Order (EO) No. 102 Extending rice import freezes until December 31, in accordance with the Ministry of Agriculture’s recommendation.
However, depDev secretary and Ed Council Vice Chairman Arsenio M. Balisacan said Mr. Marcos’ order made tax rates “unwanted,” and it will not affect local values.
“TRMC’s recommendation is part of the government’s broader strategy to ensure stable prices and protect both farmers and consumers, while safeguarding macroeconomic stability,” said Phvev.
At that time, the Council also had the scope and implementation preparations for the Jalaur River Multipurse Project-stage II to facilitate the completion of the project which is already operational and ensure the delivery of irrigation water to the farmer beneficiaries.
It also approved new rules for the design, prioritization and monitoring of infrastructure projects (IFP) amid a crackdown on flood control projects.
This seeks to move the IFP list, strengthen accountability projects, and lock projects in government planning and pasting padine.
ODA loan
In the same meeting, ed Council Greenlit two ofefcial deAid for Assistance (ODA) loan from the world bank amounting to P53.25 billion.
This includes the education department’s P38.27 billion learning development program as well School development (PLUS-D) That aims to strengthen learning outcomes, education management and delivery systems in the country.
PLUS-D is set to be implemented from 2026 to 2032 and will introduce system-level interventions, provide targeted support to schools, and establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
The program, with public schools as the main beneficiaries, focuses on increasing literacy skills in reading and numeracy between the years for Grade 6 students.
It also allowed for the acceleration of water supply and sanitation for the poor and the Lagging Areas Project. This is aimed at improving access to safe water supply and sanitation in underserved communities.
This project will be implemented in Loboc Cluster (Bohol), Siargao Island (Sulgao del Norte), and Jolo (SUS).
The ED council also approved the EO offering the voluntary social security program, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the Pag-Ibig Fund Service contract contributions and government order workers in national government agencies.
“The proposed EO seeks to close gaps in the maturity of social protection by making it easier for non-regular government employees to keep contributions through a voluntary, compliance-based mechanism,” it said. – Aubrey rose a. with a baby
