The Department of Agriculture (DA) said discussions have been completed on planned amendments to the 2019 Rice Tariff Law, with reforms aimed at curbing high rice prices while offering farmers fair returns on their crops.
The results of the regional consultation will be included in a draft amendment to be presented to Congress, the DA said in a statement.
The 2025 Quinta hearing in the House of Representatives reached consensus that follow-up measures are needed for the 2024 round of amendments to the Rice Tariff Law (Republic Act 12078).
The DA said the amendments are among 44 priority measures endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
The new set of planned amendments are expected to address declining farmers' incomes due to cheap imports, the failure of retail prices to reflect declining import costs and increasing dependence on global grain markets.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said, “We cannot let our farmers fall prey to market inefficiencies and uncontrolled speculation.” “Our goal is a rice industry that rewards productivity, ensures sustainability and protects both producers and consumers.”
Counseling fiThe findings will form the basis of the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act. The DA described the law as restoring calibrated state intervention in the rice market through the National Food Authority (NFA).
The NFA would acquire limited authority to manage rice inventories, regulate imports, and stabilize prices without reversing trade liberalization.
The draft calls for the establishment of the Philippine Rice Industry Development Program, which would receive an annual allocation of P30 billion from tariff revenues to finance productivity and resilience programs.
The bill will also set a flexible minimum price for palay (unmilled rice) to ensure fair returns to farmers and targeted rice subsidies to low-income consumers.
After the first sessions in Iloilo, the final consultations were held on October 27 in Cagayan de Oro and on October 28 in Quezon City. The DA plans to submit a draft to Congress and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office on November 10.
