Urgent Call to Amend Rice Tariffication Law
MANILA, Philippines — Las Piñas Representative Mark Anthony Santos has called on lawmakers to prioritize discussions on amending the Rice Tariffication Law. The goal is to ensure that affordable rice remains available in public markets nationwide.
Santos emphasized that the promised benefits of the Rice Tariffication Law—such as lower rice prices and stronger support for local farmers—have yet to be realized. He stressed the importance of revising the law to address ongoing challenges in the rice sector.
“We have not felt the promised benefits of the Rice Tariffication Law. Rice prices failed to decrease significantly, and our farmers’ lives became harder,” Santos said, highlighting the persistent volatility in rice prices and the displacement of local rice by cheaper imports.
Restoring Local Production and NFA Functions
According to Santos, amending the law would allow the government to prioritize local rice production. It would also reinstate the National Food Authority’s (NFA) authority to purchase palay directly from farmers and maintain a buffer stock that can be used beyond emergencies.
“We need to amend the law to prioritize local production and food security. The current system is not enough. We need a law that will protect the farmers and buyers,” he added.
Former Senator Cynthia Villar authored the original Rice Tariffication Law. During the 19th Congress, the House approved House Bill No. 10381, which aims to restore some of the NFA’s functions. The bill passed on third reading in May 2024 with overwhelming support—231 lawmakers voted in favor.
Legislative Support and Senate Concerns
House leaders, including former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, believe the amendments could reduce rice prices by P10 to P15 per kilogram. However, the bill encountered opposition in the Senate due to fears that reinstating some NFA responsibilities might lead to corruption.
Quezon 1st District Representative Wilfrido Mark Enverga, a former chair of the House agriculture committee, assured that the NFA’s role in importation would be limited, preventing past corruption issues. He also plans to brief senators on the proposal to address their concerns.
Several senators, including Villar, warned against amending RA 11203, pointing out that the law barred the NFA from rice importation and sales because of previous corruption within the agency.
New Proposals for Strengthening NFA
Looking ahead to the 20th Congress, Speaker Romualdez has proposed House Bill No. 1, the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act. This bill seeks to enhance the NFA’s regulatory powers by amending Republic Act No. 8178, which was later modified by the Rice Tariffication Law.
Romualdez explained that House Bill No. 1, alongside House Bill No. 14—the proposed Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation Act—would support the government’s food security strategy. These bills back the Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM Na) initiative, fulfilling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pledge to lower rice prices to 20 pesos per kilogram.
House Bill No. 14 aims to expand crop insurance coverage, protecting farmers and growers from the impacts of calamities and climate-related events.
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