MANILAcoinburst, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday signed into law a measure that grants him and the Department of Agriculture (DA) powers to stabilize rice prices and regulate importation to address price and supply shocks as well as extends the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) until 2031 to boost farmers’ productivity.

Under Republic Act 12078, also known as the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the President may allow the importation of rice at a lower tariff rate for a limited period or a specified volume in the event of any imminent or forecast shortage “or any other situation requiring government intervention.” Such an order shall take effect immediately and can only be issued when Congress is not in session.

The President may also suspend or prohibit further importation for a limited period or a specified volume when there is an excessive supply of imported or locally produced rice that results in an extraordinary decrease in local prices.

The DA, meanwhile, can declare a food security emergency on rice because of supply shortage or extraordinary price increases upon the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council.

The NPCC shall come up with a formula for determining the existence of a rice supply shortage or an extraordinary increase in prices. If such conditions happen, the DA may sell existing rice buffer stock under the National Food Authority (NFA) to government agencies and the public through the Kadiwa outlets in areas with supply shortages or an extraordinary price increase.

The DA may also replenish the used NFA rice buffer stock with locally produced rice or imported rice when the available supply of locally produced rice is inadequate. The agriculture secretary may designate the importing entity within the DA, with the exception of the NFA.

The newly signed law amends RA 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). The amendments seek to strengthen the regulatory functions of the DA by creating and maintaining a database for all grain warehouses and storage facilities for the monitoring of rice reserves.

“In cases of sudden rice shortages or price hikes, the DA will now be empowered to take the necessary actions to stabilize the market. This will help ensure that the price of rice remains affordable and accessible to every Filipino,” Marcos said during the signing ceremony at Malacañang.

The new law also extended the implementation of the RCEF and tripled its annual funding allocation from P10 billion to P30 billion to bankroll newly proposed initiatives on soil health improvementcoinburst, pest and disease management, solar-powered irrigation projects, small water-impounding projects and the distribution of composting facilities for biodegradable waste. — Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

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