THE Philippines will operate under a tariff-based restriction to protect local palay farmers once the country’s quantitative restriction (QR) expires in July this year, a Cabinet official said on Wednesday, noting that the tariff range could be at 40-50 percent.

Lawyer Maia Chiara Halmen Reina Valdez, Undersecretary for the Office of the Cabinet Assistance System, said that Manila may impose 40-50 percent tariff on all imported rice post QR as per discussions with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).