COMPETITIVE PRICE Farmers work in a rice field in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in this 2019 photo. INQUIRER file photo / ERWIN MASCARIÑAS
MANILA, Philippines — Two House panels have approved a measure seeking to give direct cash assistance to rice farmers tilling 1 hectare of land or less amid declining palay prices and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The appropriations and food and agriculture committees approved House Bill No. 8964, or the Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers bill, in an online hearing on Wednesday.
The measure authorizes the Department of Agriculture (DA) to use its annual rice tariff revenues in excess of P10 billion “for the direct provision of cash assistance to farmers.” The bill directs the Bureau of Customs to remit the excess rice tariff revenues to the DA.