By Francesca Claire Tarayao | PTV DMIS intern
The Department of Agriculture (D.A.) is set to conduct on-the-ground consultations with farmers to address the recent drop in rice prices ahead of preparing for the legislative deliberations on the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act.
This initiative aims to address the challenges faced by the local rice industry by restoring the key regulatory powers of the National Food Authority (NFA).
While Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is not around, he has appointed a team of top officials and other government agencies involved in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s P20 rice initiative, or the Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM Na) program, to lead the consultation.
Secretary Tiu Laurel also refuted claims that the government’s push for affordable rice has hurt local producers, saying, “Some farmers claim that private traders are blaming the P20 rice program for the drop in prices. That’s simply not true.”
He mentioned that these nationwide consultations aim to guide the government’s response to the recent drop in palay prices, which could discourage farmers from planting in the future.
“Every bag of rice sold at P20 [per kilo] frees up space for two sacks of palay, which we can purchase at better prices than what private traders offer,” Laurel added.
As of June 30, the NFA had exceeded its first-semester palay procurement target by 149%, responding to strong farmer demand. The agency also currently buys palay at P17 to P24 per kilo while expanding logistics and storage capabilities with additional trucks, warehouse upgrades, and a proposed budget increase.
The RICE Act, filed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez as the first measure introduced in the 20th Congress, seeks to amend the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) with a focus on reinstating the NFA’s ability to intervene in the rice market. This includes preventing price manipulation, hoarding, and profiteering, which have long plagued the rice supply chain.
In recent dialogues with farmers, President Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the P20 rice program, promising that the NFA will continue to purchase rice at higher rates to enhance farmers’ earnings. He also assured farmers that they would not be shortchanged, despite the government’s quest for affordable rice for consumers.
As part of ongoing support to the rice sector, the D.A.’s national rice program also continues to provide farmers with crucial inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, while the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) delivers farming equipment to help reduce production costs and boost productivity.
-dac/av
