The Department of Agriculture (DA) said proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) aim to benefit not just rice farmers but all stakeholders in the rice value chain. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., speaking before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, stressed that reforms would support input suppliers, millers, traders, distributors, retailers, and consumers by lowering costs and boosting efficiency.
Tiu Laurel called for restoring state intervention in the rice market, rebuilding the National Food Authority (NFA), integrating budget programs, and improving extension services. He warned against rising consumer preference for imported rice, which could crash local palay prices and hurt domestic production.
Highlighting a proposed P60 billion rice sector budget for 2026, Tiu Laurel urged lawmakers to support an integrated rice policy to ensure both farmer welfare and food security. The DA welcomed legislative efforts, including those by Senate President Francis Escudero, to revise the RTL for broader sectoral benefit.
