RICE BELOW P30 PER KILO POSSIBLE BY JULY – SPEAKER ROMUALDEZ

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez announced on Monday that the House of Representatives and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are committed to working together to achieve the ambitious goal of reducing the price of rice to below P30 per kilo in certain parts of the country starting in July.

“We are confident that it is possible to offer rice below P30 per kilo as early as July this year. The Department of Agriculture is currently identifying the areas where affordable, well-milled rice will be made available to the public,” Romualdez said.

“Although we cannot yet achieve this throughout the entire country, we can start in selected areas identified by the Department of Agriculture. We hope that this initiative will soon reach all parts of the country, especially after the amendment of the Rice Tariffication Law,” added the House leader.

Romualdez made this announcement following a productive, hour-long meeting with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, key officials from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and other agencies affiliated with the Department of Agriculture (DA) at the Speaker’s Office.

The discussion took place right after said officials attended a congressional hearing on proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law.

Romualdez noted that the goal of offering rice below P30 per kilo was established after House leaders and agriculture officials identified certain loopholes in the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law that could be immediately addressed through collaborative efforts between the legislative and executive branches.

Laurel clarified that despite the restrictions imposed by the law, the National Food Authority (NFA) may be authorized to sell affordable rice through KADIWA centers, which can be established nationwide with the support of local government units.

“Starting in July, some of these KADIWA centers will be operational in specific regions and will offer affordable, well-milled rice five days a week. The operation of these centers will depend on the rice supply available to the National Food Authority,” Laurel explained.

“Gradually, we aim to increase the number of KADIWA centers across the country with assistance from local government officials. Many have volunteered to provide public spaces for these centers,” he added.

Romualdez emphasized that House leaders would encourage city and municipal mayors to identify public spaces for KADIWA centers to help make this plan a reality.

“We are all working together to ensure the success of this plan. Although it may be a short-term solution, the important thing is that we make affordable rice available to the public as soon as possible,” he said.

For a long-term solution, the Speaker mentioned that the House would expedite the process of amending the Rice Tariffication Law and ensure that the amendments are passed on the third and final reading before the sine die congressional break.

“We will also appeal to our senators to prioritize these amendments in Congress as requested by the President,” he concluded.

PBBM TO CERTIFY RTL AS URGENT TO BRING DOWN RICE PRICES

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Monday he would certify as urgent the proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to lower rice prices in the country.

The President made the remarks during a media interview following his attendance to the 2024 GOCCs’ Day at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“Yes, I think it justifies the urgent certification,” the President said when asked if he supports the proposal.

“Ang problema kasi kaya tumataas ang presyo ng bigas dahil ang mga trader ay nagko-compete. Pataasan sila ng presyuhan sa pagbili ng bigas at wala tayong control doon.” he pointed out.

According to the President, the government can influence or control rice prices if amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law are introduced, particularly in buying palay and selling rice to the public.

Romualdez has been pushing for the RTL amendment to allow the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell rice in the markets.

He said rice prices could go down by P10 to P15 or close to the P30 per kilogram mark if RTL is amended, noting it’s the President’s priority to stabilize rice prices.

Envisioned to bring down rice prices, the RTL allows unlimited entry of imported rice in the country. It prohibits the NFA, however, from buying and selling rice and limits the agency’s mandate to managing buffer rice stocks.