The Department of Agriculture (DA) has concluded a nationwide series of multi-sectoral consultations on House Bill No. 1, the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act, and other related measures that seek to amend the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). The consultations aim to gather broad-based insights and recommendations from rice industry stakeholders to ensure that the final version of the proposal is robust and equitable.
Participated in by rice farmers, millers, traders, local government units, members of the House of Representatives, and other industry players, the consultations were held on October 24 for the Visayas Cluster, October 27 for the Mindanao Cluster, and October 28 for the Luzon Cluster.
The proposed RICE Act seeks to restore the regulatory powers of the National Food Authority (NFA) to ensure stable rice supply and pricing, while safeguarding the welfare of both farmers and consumers. The bill proposes to re-empower the NFA with key functions such as registration, licensing, and supervision of rice industry participants; inspection of warehouses and storage facilities; seizure of hoarded rice and grains; strategic buffer stock management; and regulation of rice importation and exportation.
DA undersecretary for policy, planning, and regulations Asis Perez presented the policy framework of the proposed RICE Act, anchored on seven pillars of reform: restoring calibrated state capacity; integrating the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund and National Rice Program; rebuilding a national extension support system; balancing consumer welfare and farmer income; sustaining domestic production and planting intentions; modernizing the NFA; and incentivizing private sector and value chain actors.
At the conclusion of the consultations, stakeholders signed a manifesto of support, affirming their shared commitment to realizing an inclusive, fair, and competitive rice sector that uplifts all value chain participants.
Joining Usec. Perez in facilitating the discussions were DA assistant secretary for operations U-Nichols Manalo and DA assistant secretary for legislative affairs, DLLO, Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra.
