Philippine Palace holds back the executive order raising the corn import quota to 500,000 metric tons

21 October 2026

Malacañang said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has yet to sign an executive order expanding the minimum access volume for corn imports while the government assesses its impact during the harvest season. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace is coordinating with the Department of Agriculture so the proposal does not adversely affect local corn farmers and the animal feed sector. The Department of Agriculture has proposed raising the minimum access volume for corn to 500,000 metric tons, more than double the current regular quota of 216,940 metric tons. Corn imports within the quota are subject to a preferential tariff of 5 percent, while shipments exceeding the quota are taxed at 15 percent. The department said the increase is a calibrated contingency measure and not a permanent policy shift.