The proposed legislation supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s broader agenda of ensuring affordable food for every Filipino household, particularly rice—a staple with deep economic and political relevance, the DA said.
“This is one of several measures House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez asked the DA to craft to help the government advance its food security agenda—particularly the program of President Marcos to sustain P20-per-kilo rice for vulnerable sectors through 2028,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.
The bill proposes to amend the Rice Tariffication Law by reintroducing certain regulatory functions to the NFA. These include managing buffer stocks, regulating distribution and marketing, setting a floor price for palay (unhusked rice), and supporting farmer cooperatives and rice processors under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.
It also outlines stricter protocols for government-led importation, giving the DA authority to swiftly respond to supply shocks and price surges.
A key feature is granting the NFA greater flexibility in managing and maintaining quality buffer stocks—a crucial component in achieving the administration’s P20-per-kilo rice goal and ensuring price stability.
“These changes will significantly address market inefficiencies and promote fairness—especially for farmers who work the land for months but remain the most disadvantaged,” said NFA Administrator Larry Lacson. “For the NFA, this means becoming more efficient, more responsive, and financially stronger.”
The legislative push comes amid increasing public concern over food prices and access, with rice inflation reaching politically sensitive levels in recent years. Officials say the measure will allow the government to better support both producers and consumers in times of market stress.
The draft is expected to be submitted to Congress within the next few weeks. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
