Cynthia Villar says no one wants to discard Rice Tariffication Law

MANILA, Philippines — “Wala namang nagsasabi na ibasura ang Rice Tariffication Law.” (There is no one saying to discard the Rice Tariffication Law.)

These were Senator Cynthia Villar’s words on Thursday when she nixed speculations that there are people supposedly scrapping the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

“Wala akong nadidinig na ganon, in fact ang [Department of Agriculture] sinabi nila na they want to renew RTL. Anong masama noon na gagawin nating competitive ang ating rice farmers?,” Villar asked.

(I haven’t heard of such a thing. In fact, the Department of Agriculture said they want to renew RTL. What’s wrong with wanting to make our rice farmers competitive?)

Villar, who chairs the Senate’s panel on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform and also one of the proponents of the law, said only importers and middlemen are veering themselves away from RTL.

She said the measure, which is set to expire in 2024, has to be renewed.

Reinstate mandate of NFA to sell rice?

In the same interview, Villar likewise addressed proposals to amend the RTL by reinstating the mandate of the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy and sell rice at a cheaper price.

“Tinanggal nga yun eh kasi… alam mo, dati.. Ang NFA siya ang nag import exclusively ng bigas and napansin ng gobyerno na hindi nagmumura ang bigas in spite na sila walang tariff,” said Villar.

(It was actually removed… because you know… NFA used to import our rice exclusively, but the government noticed that the price of our rice is not going down in spite of zero tariff.)

RTL was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte into law in 2019.

The measure specifically created the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund which sought to improve the competitiveness of rice farmers and increase their income amidst liberalization of the Philippine rice trade policy.

READ: Romualdez: Rice prices down P15 if rice tariff law amended by June

“Wala akong nadidinig na nagrereklamo sa Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. In fact, tuwang tuwa sila dito kasi finally magiging mechanized na sila at maganda ang seeds nila,” Villar emphasized.

(I haven’t heard anyone complaining about the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. In fact, they are very happy about this because finally seeds will be mechanized.)