Senator Imee Marcos assured rice farmers that there is no need to import rice until next year, saying that the local supply will surpass consumer demand.
She also noted that importing rice would make the issuance of new import clearances unnecessary.
According to Marcos, there is no reason for the Department of Agriculture (DA) to call for any more rice imports which will only push down farmgate prices of palay. She said farmers “are doing a great job producing more than ample domestic supply.
“Also, there are no remaining valid sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPS-ICs) to justify more rice imports this year,” Marcos added, citing the DA’s Rice Supply Outlook.
Marcos explained that the projected 5.13 million metric tons (mmt) of locally grown rice in the third quarter will exceed domestic demand of 3.7mmt and provide a buffer stock of 1.43mmt by the end of September.
She said in the fourth quarter, the local rice supply is expected to reach 6.24mmt against a demand of 4.02mmt, for an additional buffer stock of 2.22mmt by the end of December.
In effect, rice harvests in the third and fourth quarters will provide the country with a total buffer stock of 3.65 million metric tons by yearend, good for 55 to 60 days, Marcos said.
The National Food Authority is required to have a rice buffer stock of 15 to 30 days for national consumption.
Rep. Wilbert Lee of Agri party-list meanwhile appealed to the leadership of the House of
Representatives led by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez to start deliberations on a bill providing rice allowance to workers from the private sector.
Lee made the statement as the government is working on the implementing rules and regulations for the rice allowance to be provided to public employees.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. announced last week that he is looking to provide rice allowance to government employees to help with their daily expenses.
Lee had earlier filed House Bill 1296, or An Act Promoting Corporative Farming and Providing Incentives for its Effective Implementation, which aims to encourage “corporative farming.”
Corporative farming is a portmanteau of corporate and cooperative farming.
The bill establishes partnerships between farming organizations and communities with domestic corporations. Under such agreement, farming organizations would supply labor, expertise, and/or their landholdings, while private companies provide the necessary capital and guarantee the purchase of the harvest.
“Corporative farming allows us to implement a measure that benefits not only private sector employees, but also our farmers. The rice allowance will help employees cope with the rising cost of goods, while farmers are given a sure market and guarantees that their crops will be bought at fair value,” said the lawmaker.
Under the bill, the corporations/partnerships that engage in corporative farming agreements shall be required to provide a minimum of 600 kilograms of rice/corn per employee per year or 50 kg per employee per month. Any excess produced would be sold to the National Food Administration at prevailing market prices. With Maricel V. Cruz
