AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. called for amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), warning that it “threatens to kill” the rice industry.
During the hearing of the Senate committee on agriculture, food and agrarian reform on Wednesday, August 20, Tiu Laurel emphasized that the government must revisit, amend, and possibly replace laws that “no longer serve [the] farmers and consumers.”
“Foremost among these is the Rice Tariffication Law. Though crafted with noble goals, I have to admit, it has faltered. By fully liberalizing rice imports, it unintentionally undermined the Department of Agriculture and the NFA, stripping us of the ability to intervene and protect this most vital of commodities,” he said.
“As currently written, the RTL does not reform the rice industry — it threatens to kill it,” he added.
Enacted in 2019 to liberalize rice importation, the RTL empowers the President to halt imports under specific conditions.
Before the RTL took effect and its amended version this year, the National Food Authority (NFA) could import rice to augment supply, allowing it to maintain a healthier buffer stock and intervene when prices surged.
Earlier this month, Malacañang also admitted the government has encountered challenges in stabilizing the price of rice due to the RTL. (GMA Integrated News)
