The Philippines will continue to maintain a paddy rice production target of 16.1 million to 16.2 million MT for the year, even with the imminent approval of a new budget measure.

A senior agriculture official said Tuesday that the target is higher by 5.2%-5.9% from last year's output of 15.3 million MT.

Monday, the Philippine Congress ratified a committee report endorsing the government's proposed PHP1.126 trillion ($22.9 billion) budget for 2007. It will soon be sent to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to be enacted into law.