P100-B worth of aid given to farmers in transition to rice tariffication — Villar

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Cynthia Villar on Wednesday announced that over P100 billion worth of funds were released by the government to aid farmers during the transition to rice tariffication, a year after the Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law was enacted.

In a statement, Villar said this was on top of the P10 billion released by the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund.

“Last year, farmers started to receive the benefits of the law through seed distribution, credit and extension programs. Soon, farm pieces of machinery will be distributed to rice-producing towns under the law’s mechanization program,” she said.

“Improving farmer’s competitiveness is not something that we can do overnight. These programs were rolled out to provide a ready market for local rice and deter unscrupulous traders from taking advantage of our farmers in the initial phase of its implementation,” Villar added.

Signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February last year, the Rice Tariffication Law provides that for the year 2019 to 2024, P5 billion will be allocated for the procurement of rice farm equipment that will be given to 947 rice-producing towns in the country.

P3 billion will be allotted for the distribution and production of inbred seeds, while P1 billion each will go to cheap credit with two-percent interest per year and for training programs.