The House of Representatives will begin plenary debates this week on a bill amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), a critical measure aimed at substantially reducing rice prices to ease the financial stress of millions of ordinary Filipino consumers.
Speaker Martin Romualdez said the legislative chamber would double its effort to hasten the plenary discussions and secure the bill’s approval on second reading by Wednesday, May 15.
“We recognize the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by consumers due to high rice prices. Through these plenary debates, we are taking decisive action to bring about meaningful change and ease the financial strain on Filipino households,” he said.
Plenary debates will commence once the RTL amendment bill is sponsored by the committee on agriculture and food, chaired by Quezon District Rep. Mark Enverga.
Last Tuesday, the panel approved the substitute measure for the consolidated bills filed in the House of Representatives. The proposal aims to bolster the competitiveness and resilience of the rice industry while ensuring affordable access to the essential staple for all Filipinos.
The committee approval came a day after President Marcos expressed his intention to certify the bill amending RTL as urgent.
Romualdez said the intention was to have the RTL amended by July in a bid to lower rice prices to less than P30 to make rice more affordable for every Filipino family. Currently, rice retails between P40-45 and sometimes exceeds P50.
The substitute bill seeks to restore the National Food Authority’s (NFA) role in managing the country’s rice supply chain under the proposed amended RTL.
Enacted in 2019, the RTL replaced quantitative restrictions on imported rice with tariffs, establishing the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF). It removed the NFA’s market intervention powers, affecting public access to affordable rice varieties.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is advocating for amendments to the RTL. One of its recommendations is to adjust the RCEF from P10-billion to P15-billion, according to information released by Malacañang.
The DA also seeks to enhance the NFA’s role in stabilizing rice prices, regulating supply, and supporting agricultural modernization initiatives through increased funding and strategic interventions.