Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga (Contributed photo)

A co-chairman of the House quinta-committee (quinta-comm) has underscored the need for more reforms in order to sustain affordable rice prices and protect both consumers and farmers in the long run.

Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga had this to say Friday, Feb. 28 in reaction to the government’s decision to sell National Food Authority (NFA) rice at P35 per kilo.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed that at least 150,000 metric tons (MT) of NFA rice will be released over the next six months—half of its total 300,000-MT buffer stock.

This measure aims to bring retail rice prices closer to pre-July 2023 levels, or before supply disruptions led to sharp increases.

“Salamat sa ating quinta-comm, sa [DA], at sa lahat ng tumulong para maibaba ang presyo ng bigas. P35 kada kilo ng NFA rice ay malaking ginhawa sa mga pamilyang hirap makabili ng mahal na bigas,” Enverga said.

(I thank the quinta-comm, the DA, and to all those who have helped bring down the price of rice. The P35 per kilo NFA rice is a huge relief for families who can afford expensive rice.)

“Pero hindi tayo dapat huminto rito. Ang tanong ngayon: paano natin masisigurong hindi lang panandalian ang presyong ito? (But we shouldn’t stop here. The question now is: how can we maintain this price?)" he added.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the average price of well-milled rice remains at P45 per kilo, significantly higher than NFA’s subsidized price.

Enverga says that the quinta-comm or the Murang Pagkain Supercommittee continues to monitor these developments. 

This super-panel was created under the instruction of House Speaker Martin Romualdez to combat smuggling, hoarding, price manipulation, and hunger.

“Ayaw nating maulit ang sitwasyon kung saan lumobo ang presyo ng bigas nang walang matinong paliwanag. Hindi tayo titigil hanggang hindi natin natitiyak na abot-kaya ang bigas para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino," the Quezon solon said.

(We don't want a repeat of the situation wherein there was an unexplained increase in rice prices. We will not stop until we ensure that rice is affordable for every Filipino family.)

Enverga noted that one of the most significant government interventions in lowering rice prices is Executive Order (EO) No. 62, which was signed in July 2024.

This measure reduced the tariff on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent, aiming to make rice imports more affordable and increase supply in the local market.

While the tariff cut helped reduce the cost of imported rice, its benefits have not yet fully reached consumers due to supply chain inefficiencies and price manipulation by certain traders.

As rice prices adjust in the coming months, Enverga assured that the government will remain vigilant in enforcing fair pricing, monitoring supply chains, and supporting Filipino farmers.

Enverga also called for regular price policy reviews to ensure that price regulations remain effective and do not unintentionally protect cartels.

“Kung hindi natin sisilipin taun-taon ang epekto ng mga polisiya natin sa presyo ng pagkain, baka hindi natin namamalayan na mas lalo nating sinusuportahan ang mga abusadong negosyante imbes na ang mamimili,” he warned.

(If we don't practice annual oversight on the effects of our policies on food prices, we may end up supporting abusive traders instead of the consumers without us knowing it.)