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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bill seeking the extension, amendments to Rice Tariffication Law advances in Senate

Bill seeking the extension, amendments to Rice Tariffication Law advances in Senate

Published Aug 15, 2024 10:01 am

The measure seeking to amend and extend the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), or Republic Act No. 11203, has progressed in the Senate.


The bill is contained in Committee Report No. 282, entitled “An Act Amending Republic Act 8178 or the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996 as amended by RA 11203.


Republic Act No. 11203 created the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) from tariffs collected on imported rice.


Enacted in 2019, the RTL lifted quantitative restrictions on rice and introduced tariffs to guarantee the protection of Filipino rice producers. The Rice Tariffication Act amends the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996 (RA 8178).


Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, and sponsor of the measure said the bill seeks to reinforce the protection of local rice producers and to respond to the appeals of stakeholders in the rice industry.


Under the proposed new version of the RTL, the President can prohibit further importation or specify the volume to be imported during the excessive supply of both imported and locally produced rice in the market, for a specific period and volume.


Also, another salient feature of the new bill is that it ensures farmers will directly benefit from the liberalization of rice trading by providing P10 billion a year to the RCEF until 2024.


“The RCEF provided P5 billion for the free distribution of farm machinery and equipment, P3 billion for the free distribution of high-quality inbred certified seeds, P1 billion for credit support, and another P1 billion for the training of rice farmers,” said Villar.


Under the new bill agreed upon by stakeholders and fellow lawmakers, Villar said the RTL will be extended for another six years or until 2023.


The total amount covered would be P30 billion sourced from tariff on imported rice. Any deficiency shall be supplemented by the General Appropriations Act (GAA).


The new version also seeks to strengthen the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Plant Industry Regulatory Functions including registration and data basing of all grains warehouses.


It also allows the DA to import when there is no available locally produced rice; and disposal of aging stock with National Food Authority (NFA) shall be four weeks before expiration.


The measure is now up for Senate plenary debates.




Related Tags

Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) Senate of the Philippines rice tariffication act Cynthia Villar
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