World

Philippines plans to increase rice imports to ensure domestic supply

The Philippine government is seeking to import 300,000 tonnes of rice to ensure sufficient domestic supply as the country is trying to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on March 31.
Philippines plans to increase rice imports to ensure domestic supply ảnh 1A Filipino farmer scoops rice grains in  the country's Cagayan province (Photo: AFP)

 Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippine government is seeking to import 300,000 tonnes of rice to ensure sufficient domestic supply as the country is trying to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on March 31

The Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases has got President Rodrigo Duterte's approval for a government-to-government rice purchase arrangement, he added.

The Department of Agriculture and other government agencies has been reaching out to Southeast Asian rice suppliers to negotiate for a deal. 

The Philippines became the world's biggest rice importer in 2019 with purchases estimated at a record of 2.9 million tonnes. It usually purchases rice from Vietnam and a certain amount from Thailand.

Global food security concerns are mounting as some governments contemplate restricting the flow of staple foods to fight the widening COVID-19 pandemic.

Cambodia will also ban some rice exports to ensure local food security amid complicated developments of the disease./.

VNA
#COVID-19 #Philippine government #domestic supply #rice purchase arrangement #rice importer #food security #vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency Philippines
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Vietnam, Philippines discuss cooperation amid complicated COVID-19 pandemic

Vietnam, Philippines discuss cooperation amid complicated COVID-19 pandemic

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. have discussed on cooperation between the two countries at bilateral and multilateral levels amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, during their recent phone talks.
COVID-19: Philippines announces 3.9 billion USD social aid package

COVID-19: Philippines announces 3.9 billion USD social aid package

President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte on March 30 announced that his government will launch a social relief package worth 200 billion peso (3.9 billion USD) to assist low-income households and industries seriously affected by the strict preventive measures against COVID-19.

See more

Thailand expands crackdown on cross-border scam networks

Thailand expands crackdown on cross-border scam networks

Thai police recently conducted coordinated raids at 19 locations linked to a foreign call centre network in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi, seizing luxury vehicles and more than 27 million THB (833,800 USD) in cash.

Thailand tightens control over cannabis-laced sweets

Thailand tightens control over cannabis-laced sweets

The Thai government has instructed the Ministry of Public Health to coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and provincial public health offices nationwide. Their mission is to increase inspections of products containing cannabis extracts.

Head of School of Business under the Monash University Malaysia Prof Nafis Alam. (Photo: businesstoday.com.my)

Malaysia makes efforts to minimise US tariff’s impacts

With lead firms (especially in electronics, machinery and auto parts) will reconsider Malaysia’s manufacturing capabilities, long-term capital investment potentially will flow to ASEAN rivals - Vietnam, Indonesia or Thailand.

Minister attached to the Thai Prime Minister's Office Jiraporn Sindhuprai (right) and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at their recent meeting in Geneva. (Photo: thainews.prd.go.th)

Thailand, WHO join hands to tackle e-cigarettes

The WHO Director-General noted that tobacco companies specifically target young people with flavoured products and that in some countries, these items are sold near schools, contributing to rising use among youth.

Magnitude 6.8 earthquake hits Indonesia

Magnitude 6.8 earthquake hits Indonesia

The epicentre was located to be about 177km west of Tual city in Maluku province. The USGS estimated the quake's depth at 66 km, while the BMKG reported a depth of 98km.

Thailand will experience heavy rain and flash floods until July 24. (Photo: The Nation)

Thailand forecast to face downpour, flash floods

Thailand may face heavy rain and flash floods until July 24 due to intensified monsoon, warns Meteorological Dept based on European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) weather models.

Head of the Centre for Data and Information Technology of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Yudhistira Nugraha (right), and chair of the implementation team of the National Information and Communication Technology Council, Ilham Akbar Habibie (second, left), during a discussion at Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, on Wednesday (July 9, 2025). (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia emphasises supportive role of AI in education

According to head of the ministry’s Centre for Data and Information Technology, Yudhistira Nugraha, in the context of education, AI is not built to replace teachers, but rather to support them. To effectively utilise AI in teaching, teachers need to master several stages.

(Photo: bernama.com)

Malaysia pledges legal reform to boost regional trade, investment

Speaking at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Legal Conference, Malaysia’s Minister for Law and Institutional Reform Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said emphasised the vital role of the legal profession in advancing institutional reform, upholding the rule of law, and safeguarding business interests amid global economic uncertainty.

Members of the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce at the National Press Centre @ MDDI on July 10. (Photo: channelnewsasia.com)

Singapore supports businesses, workers amid US tariff pressures

At an event updating SERT’s activities, Singaporean Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng announced Singaporean government’s Business Adaptation Grant which will be capped at 100,000 SGD (78,000 USD) per company and will have a co-funding element.

Monkeypox cases reach 40 for the year, govt urges caution (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand urges public vigilance against monkeypox

The public is urged to follow five key precautions, including avoiding close contact with individuals who have skin rashes or blisters, being cautious when engaging in sexual activity with unfamiliar individuals and seeking medical testing if returning from Central or East Africa or the Middle East.

The 15th EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting takes place on July 11, chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. (Photo: VNA)

EAS foreign ministers reaffirm commitment to strengthen strategic dialogue platform

According to the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement issued after the 15th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ministers underlined the forum’s role in promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia, in line with the ASEAN Charter and key regional declarations including the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).