Chiz sees more support for farmers and lower rice prices with RCEF extension

PLANTING PALAY / JULY 14, 2024 Farmers begin planting rice crops in Sitio Loong, Brgy. Luna, San Antonio in Zambales for 300 per day. The Philippines is once again the world’s largest rice importer, projected to import 4.1 million metric tons (MMT) this year, surpassing last year’s import of 3.9 MMT, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. --INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

With the signing into law of Senate Bill No. 2779 by President Marcos on Monday, Dec. 9, rice farmers are expected to see a boost in their production with greater support from the government.

Senate President Francis Escudero said that with the new law that amends the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996, the country’s rice farmers will receive more support through farm machinery and equipment, free high-quality certified inbred seeds and other interventions.

The law extends the life of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which is sourced from tariffs collected from the importation of rice, until 2031.

An increase in the annual allocation to the RCEF will also be instituted, from the current P10 billion to P30 billion, until 2031.

“We need to strengthen our support to our farmers so we can achieve our goal to harvest much more rice and lower its price for our fellow Filipinos. Rice is very important to all Filipinos and the Senate responds by passing laws such as this to get to that goal,” Escudero said in a statement.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero –Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

Provisions of the law

He said that under the law, a buffer stock of rice would be maintained, equivalent to 30 days at any given time, to sustain disaster relief programs of the government during natural or man-made calamities and to address food security emergencies on rice.

The Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Plant Industry, will strengthen its inspection and monitoring capabilities for warehouses and agricultural facilities, as part of the goal to ensure a stable supply of rice in the market, as well as quality control of rice being sold to consumers.

“We want to avoid a situation where the price of rice shoots up unnecessarily due to smuggling or hoarding. This has long been a problem in the country that should be addressed immediately,” Escudero said.

The new law also empowers the secretary of agriculture to respond better to a declaration of rice food shortage or an extraordinary increase in rice prices.

When rice prices go up drastically, the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to designate rice importing entities, except for the National Food Authority, to augment the supply of rice and stabilize prices, said Escudero.

SBN 2779 was sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Villar as chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform. It is a consolidation of the bills filed by Senators Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla and Villar.