REP. ERWIN TULFO SEEKS TO AMEND RICE TARIFFICATION LAW, ALLOW AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT TO IMPORT RICE

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — With the goal of making the country’s staple food more affordable for all Filipinos, House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo on Monday, 11 November 2024, called on his fellow lawmakers to support his proposed amendment to the Philippine Rice Tariffication Law, which would empower the Department of Agriculture (DA) to import rice.

In his privilege speech, Tulfo acknowledged that while the intent of the Rice Tariffication Law was to stabilize the rice supply and prevent sharp price increases, there remains a significant gap between local demand and the prices that are affordable to ordinary Filipinos.

“Despite the reduction of import tariffs by the President last July, the price of imported rice remains at P50 to P60 per kilo in the market. Ang layunin ng Malacañang sa pagbababa ng taripa ay para maging abot-kaya ang bigas sa P42 hanggang P45 kada kilo,” Tulfo said.

He pointed out that the public has not benefited from the rice tariff reduction.

“Mayroong mga kumikita sa pagbaba ng taripa, pero tiyak na hindi ang publiko. Malinaw na kung ang private sector lang ang umaasa sa importasyon, hindi nito kayang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” Tulfo emphasized.

His proposal seeks to allow government-imported rice to compete with private imports, similar to the National Food Authority’s (NFA) role in the past. However, this time, government-imported rice would be distributed through licensed Kadiwa outlets nationwide.

“Ang mga Kadiwa outlets, na kilala sa pagbebenta ng abot-kayang mga produkto direkta sa mga mamimili, ay isang mahusay na mekanismo para maghatid ng murang bigas sa publiko. Ang hakbang na ito ay makakatulong sa pagpapalakas ng food security at magbibigay ng maaasahan at abot-kayang suplay ng bigas,” Tulfo explained.

He added, “Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalakas sa Department of Agriculture na mag-import ng bigas, maaari nating magkaroon ng mas balanseng merkado kung saan ang presyo ay sumasalamin sa pangangailangan ng mga konsyumer at maiiwasan ang mga hindi makatarungang pagtaas ng presyo.”

Tulfo emphasized that this move would give the government a stronger role in stabilizing prices, competing with the private sector, while ensuring that ordinary citizens are not vulnerable to market fluctuations, hoarding, or profiteering.

ia/mnm