(Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The effort to pass key amendments to Republic Act (RA) No.11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) will kick into high gear this week as the House of Representatives begins the plenary debates on the bill. 


This was announced Sunday, May 12 by Speaker Martin Romualdez, who has led the bid in the House to revise the RTL and in turn give Filipinos the choice of cheaper rice in the market from the National Food Authority (NFA). 

“We recognize the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by consumers due to high rice prices. Through these plenary debates, we are taking decisive action to bring about meaningful change and ease the financial strain on Filipino households,” said Romualdez, who eyed the bill's second-reading passage by Wednesday. 

The plenary debates will follow the approval of the amendments bill by its mother committee, the Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga. 

Enverga will get the ball rolling on the plenary debates once he sponsors the measure. 

It was Last Tuesday when his committee approved the substitute measure for House Bill (HB) Nos. 212, 405, 1562, 9030, 9547, and in consideration of House Resolution (HR) No. 1614. 

If successfully passed on second reading by Wednesday, May 15, then the measure could get approved on third and final reading before Congress' sine die adjournment on May 22. President Marcos had earlier expressed his intention to certify the bill amending RTL as urgent. 

Romualdez said the plan was to have the RTL amended by July, aiming to lower rice prices to less than P30 a kilo and thereby making rice more affordable for every Filipino family. Currently, rice retails between P40 to 45 and sometimes exceeds P50 for more premium varieties. 

“By amending the RTL, we aim to bring about tangible reductions in rice prices, ensuring that Filipino consumers are not unduly burdened by high food costs. Lowering rice prices to less than P30 is a crucial step towards ensuring food security and economic stability for all,” he added. 

The substitute bill seeks to restore the NFA role in managing the country's rice supply chain under the proposed amended RTL. It empowers the agency to buy local milled rice as needed to maintain a rice buffer stock. 

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In cases of insufficient domestic supply, the NFA can procure rice from accredited importers at a set percentage of CIF (cost, insurance and freight) landed price. As a last resort, the NFA can directly import rice with explicit authorization from the President, solely to stabilize the national rice supply. 

The bill also grants temporary powers to the NFA in cases of price spikes or acute shortages. 

It likewise strengthens the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to ensure warehouse compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards. 

The bill suggests adjustments to fund allocations and the establishment of a Rice Industry Development Program Management Office. 

Enacted in 2019, the RTL replaced quantitative restrictions on imported rice with tariffs, establishing the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund or RCEF. However, it removed the NFA's market intervention powers, affecting public access to affordable rice varieties.