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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Puro tayo porma, kwento': Erwin Tulfo blasts Senate version of Rice Tarrification Law amendments bill 

'Puro tayo porma, kwento': Erwin Tulfo blasts Senate version of Rice Tarrification Law amendments bill 

Published May 7, 2024 08:56 pm

At A Glance

  • ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has vented his apparent frustration over the Senate when it comes to the proposal to amend Republic Act (RA) No.11203 or the Rice Tarrification Law (RTL), with the end goal of reducing of the price of rice. 

IMG-3605d788179d7be698c03b192605edc2-V.jpgACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (PPAB)



ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has vented his apparent frustration over the Senate when it comes to the proposal to amend Republic Act (RA) No.11203 or the Rice Tarrification Law (RTL), with the end goal of reducing of the price of rice.

“We're facing another uphill battle here. Nakalusot nga ho dito. Ang problem ho namin ngayon, is the Senate. Iba ho ‘yung version nila e (The bill is progressing here. Our problem right now is the Senate. They have a different version)," Tulfo told House of Representatives reporters Tuesday, May 7.

Earlier that day, the House Committee on Agriculture and Food approved the substitute bill on the proposed RTL amendments after just a few hearings.

A key revision to RTL that's being pursued is the restoration of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) power to directly sell relatively cheaper rice to the market. Such will pave the way for the return of "NFA rice".

"Yung version ho ng Senate, walang laman, eh. Eh, wala. Ang binabanggit doon na NFA. So, pumasa man ho dito, pagdating mo sa kanila, wala ring mangyayari,” said Tulfo, the House deputy majority leader for communications.

(The Senate version of the bill is practically empty. There's nothing. About the mention of NFA. So, even if it gets passed here, nothing will happen once it gets transmitted to them.)

He then suggested to the senators to simply adopt the House version of the RTL amendments.

“Pakiusap po namin sa Senate, baka pwede naman ho, sumabay na lang ho kayo sa version namin. Isantabi ho muna natin ‘yung mga business interest, personal interest natin. Unahin po muna natin ‘yung interest ng mga tao, ng nakakarami ho sa atin," he said.

(Our appeal to the Senate: maybe you can just ride on our version. Let's set aside our business interest and personal interests for the meantime. Let's prioritize the interest of the people, who outnumber us.)

"Otherwise, wala ho mangyayari. Kaya tayo napupulaan ng taumbayan. Puro tayo porma. Puro tayo kwento. Why don't we just do our work? Let us unite. Para sa isang mission, ang mission natin, everybody can buy rice,” Tulfo added.

(Otherwise, nothing will happen. That's why the people criticize us. All we do is posturing. All we do is talk. Why don't we just do our work? Let us unite. For one mission, and that mission is, everybody can buy rice.)

Some senators are worried that resorting the NFA's mandate to sell rice could lead to corruption in the agency.

But Tulfo said that corruption should instead be the worry of the agencies.

"Hindi na ho problema ng taumbayan ‘yan (That's no longer the problem of the people). That is not the problem of the people. The problem of the people right now, cheap rice. And we have to answer this immediately,” he said.

"We have to do something about this. Yes. Sayang po pagiging representatives natin. Sayang po pagiging senator natin (Our position as representatives and senators would go to waste) if we can't do anything. We have the power in our hands,” he underscored.

Related Tags

Senators Rice Tariffication Law National Food Authority Erwin Tulfo
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