THE House of Representatives, led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, has assured Filipino farmers that they will receive substantial support through government subsidies, allaying their concerns about the reduction in tariffs on imported rice.
Romualdez said the government, under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is committed to protecting and empowering local farmers, who play a crucial role in achieving the country’s goal of rice self-sufficiency.
“Napakaimportante for farmers to get all the support and the subsidies that we could provide para makahabol din tayo na maging rice self-sufficient,” Romualdez said during Monday’s press conference at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City.
The leader of the 300-plus members legislative chamber assured farmers that they have the full backing of Congress, the government and the Filipino people.
“We are relying on them, and we assure them that Congress, government, the people are behind them,” Speaker Romualdez said, with House Committee on Agriculture Chair Mark Enverga (Quezon, 1st District) and Committee on Appropriations Chair Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol Party-list) supporting his statement.
In the same press conference, Enverga and Co said the reduction of tariffs under Executive Order (EO) No. 62, which decreases the levy on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent, will not jeopardize the welfare of local farmers.
They provided comprehensive updates on the measures in place to bolster the agricultural sector through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program (RCEP) under Rice Tariffication Law.
Enverga reiterated the administration’s commitment to farmers, noting the substantial funding allocated for agricultural support and the projected requirements to sustain RCEP initiatives for 2024.
The current RCEF, also known as the Rice Fund, allocates P10 billion annually from tariff collections on rice imports to finance farm mechanization, provision of better seeds, and training on new farming technologies.
Originally set to end this year, pending legislation that aims to extend the Rice Fund until 2030 and increase its funding to P15 billion.
Data from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) shows that tariff collections on rice imports in the first five months of 2024 have already reached P22 billion, more than enough to cover the proposed higher allocation for the Rice Fund.
“Currently, there are P22 billion as stated by the [BOC]. At paalala po, June pa lang po ngayon, may taripa pa rin po, so may 15 percent tariff. Ibig sabihin, tataas pa rin ang collection for this year, so hindi po mapapabayaan ang ating mga farmers,” Enverga pointed out.
Enverga also noted that the highest financing given to the national rice program, resulting from efforts initiated by Marcos and supported by Romualdez, underscores the administration’s commitment to bolstering the agriculture sector.
For his part, Co said that significant financial support and infrastructure projects for farmers are also fully secured for the upcoming year.
“In fact, sa farmers na P10 billion tumaas pa po ng P22 billion as early as now. So wala pong kailangan na ikabahala ang ating mga farmers,” Co declared.
Co also cited ongoing initiatives by the National Irrigation Administration, which has started contract farming expected to yield 200,000 metric tons of rice, with sales ranging from P29 to P34 per kilo. This pilot project aims to expand significantly with additional support from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024.
Moreover, Co pointed out the introduction of solar fertigation systems, which are projected to increase rice production by 80 percent at no additional cost to farmers.
“‘Pag na-fertigate po natin lahat ng irrigated lands, lalagyan natin ng solar fertigation, that’s an additional of 80 percent production which is at no cost to the farmers. Libre po ang sa kanilang kuryente, libre po ang supply ng tubig,” Co elaborated.
At the same time, Co underscored the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of ordinary citizens, mitigating the effects of global inflation, and ensuring food security.
Co said the Marcos administration aims to achieve this within two years through comprehensive projects, including the construction of dams and extensive flood control measures valued at P350 billion.
“So hopefully within two years ‘yung legasiya po ng ating Pangulo, ‘yung legacy ng administration, na food security,” Co said.
Co added, “We will have it in two years, and the construction ng mga dam and ‘yung alignment po ng convergence, which is around P350 billion of flood control projects. ‘Pag nagawa natin within two years, we will be exporting rice na po. Tayo naman po ang magprepresyo ng mahal sa ating mga neighboring countries.”
