President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed a law on Monday, Dec. 9, amending the Agricultural Tariffication Act (ATA) to enhance the competitiveness of the country’s rice industry.
In a speech in Malacañang, Marcos Jr. said the law extends the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund until 2031 and increase its annual funding from P10 billion to P30 billion.
“Through the RCEF, we have been able to invest in high-quality seeds, mechanization, and training for our farmers—ensuring that they are equipped with the right skills and tools to increase productivity. With the expiration of the original six-year plan for RCEF fast approaching, it became clear that we needed to extend and strengthen the program,” according to him.
“This will enable us to do much more for our farmers, ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed and to make the rice industry even more competitive,” he added.
The additional funding will support priority projects, including farmer training, financial aid for small rice farmers (up to two hectares), expanded rice credit, composting facilities, pest management, soil health programs, contract farming initiatives, and solar-powered irrigation systems.
This law also intends to improve the Seed Program and the Mechanization Program, providing more farmers with access to quality seeds and better tools for higher yields.
By reducing post-harvest losses, the law could save up to 375,000 tons of milled rice annually, potentially feeding an extra 3.4 million Filipinos each year for the next six years.
Marcos Jr. said the measure also strengthens the regulatory function of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to monitor the rice industry, ensuring that the rice sold in markets meets quality standards.
“In cases of sudden rice shortages or price hikes, the DA will now be empowered to take the necessary actions to stabilize the market. This will help ensure that the price of rice remains affordable and accessible to every Filipino,” he said.
The Bureau of Plant Industry will also gain the authority to inspect rice warehouses and manage a national grain storage database, safeguarding the food supply.IMT
