Press Release - Villar bats for RTL extension, revisions

To reinforce the protection of local rice producers and to respond to the appeals of stakeholders in the rice industry, Senator Cynthia Villar sponsored the extension and amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), or Republic Act No. 11203, that created the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) from tariffs collected on imported rice.

It is contained in Committee Report Number 282, entitled AN ACT AMENDING RA 8178 OR THE AGRICULTURAL TARIFFICATION ACT OF 1996," AS AMENDED BY RA 11203.

Enacted in 2019, the RTL lifted quantitative restrictions on rice and introduced tariffs to guarantee the protection of Filipino rice producers.

The Rice Tariffication Act amends the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996 (RA 8178).

It ensures that farmers directly benefit from the liberalization of rice trading by providing P10 billion a year to the RCEF until 2024.

"The RCEF provided P5 billion for the free distribution of farm machinery and equipment, P3 billion for the free distribution of high-quality inbred certified seeds, P1 billion for credit support, and another P1 billion for the training of rice farmers," said Villar.

She said the collections in excess of the P10 billion funds go to the Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA) under RA 11598, which took effect on March 5, 2019. It will also expire in 2024.

On May 14, 2024, Villar said the Senate Panel convened a congressional oversight committee on agricultural and fisheries modernization in the Senate.

After subsequent meetings, they have consultation and discussion with stakeholders and fellow lawmakers.

The salient features of the new bill are;

1. Extension for another six years or until 2031.

2. Total Amount Covered: P30B sourced from tariff on imported rice any deficiency shall be supplemented by the GAA.

3. Strengthening the DA - Bureau of Plant Industry Regulatory Functions including registration and data basing of all grains warehouses.

4. Empowering the DA Secretary to respond to a declaration of rice food shortage and extraordinary increase of rice prices, where the DA can sell through government agencies such hospitals and jails and KADIWA outlets and replenish through procurement of locally