President Marcos has voiced support for the reassessment of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), also known as Republic Act 11203. The aim is to reinstate the authority of the National Food Authority (NFA), particularly in light of concerns about rice supply and the recent surge in prices. This sentiment was conveyed by a high-ranking official from the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday.
The primary goal of the tariffication law is to bring down domestic rice prices to levels that are affordable for a larger portion of the population. Additionally, it seeks to enhance the functionality and efficiency of the domestic market by reducing or eliminating government intervention.
Illustrative images depict laborers hired by rice dealers unloading sacks of rice along Dagupan Street in Tondo, Manila on Friday, August 18, 2023. These visuals challenge the notion of a widespread rice shortage in the country today. (BENJAMIN CUARESMA/AI/MNM)
