A PARTY-list lawmaker is optimistic that a soon-to-be enacted bill increasing the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) from P10 billion to P30 billion a year would help small farmers recover huge losses caused by severe tropical storm “Kristine.”
At the same time, Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of Bicol Saro party-list group urged fellow lawmakers to act swiftly on a measure he co-authored that aims to establish a Pantawid Pambangka Program which institutionalizes the grant of a P1,000-monthly fuel subsidy to municipal fisherfolk, including those reeling from the devastating effects of ‘Kristine’s’ onslaught.
Yamsuan said the measure that aims to hike the annual RCEF share to P30 billion until 2031 has already been ratified by both chambers of the Congress and is set to be enacted soon by President Marcos.
The ratified measure stands to directly benefit 2.4 million small farmers with a provision authorizing the distribution of financial aid to those tilling two hectares and below, Yamsuan said.
On top of providing aid to farmers, the measure also increases the allocation for the provision of farm machineries and equipment, quality inbred rice seeds, rice credit assistance, training and extension, solar powered irrigation projects, and composting facilities for biodegradable wastes.
“Recovery from the effects of tropical storm ‘Kristine’ will not be overnight. This is a continuing process that requires sustained funding and assistance to our farmers and fisherfolk,” said Yamsuan.
“We are hopeful that the President would sign the ratified bill soon so that the RCEF could become a more potent tool to help small farmers, especially those in Bicol which was the worst hit by ‘Kristine.’”
“We are confident that when this bill has become a law and tripled the RCEF to P30 billion, it would be an effective instrument to enable our farmers to rise from Kristine’s devastation,” said Yamsuan, chairman of the Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources.
The measure also seeks to protect consumers as it mandates the Department of Agriculture to sell rice reserves of the National Food Authority to government outlets and agencies in times of shortages and high rice prices.
