Workers stack rice at a National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse on Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. (INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla wants the rice tariffication law amended as he seeks to restore the role of the National Food Authority (NFA) in managing the country’s supply chain.
Padilla’s amendatory measure—Senate Bill No. 2672—was filed on Tuesday.
He emphasized that reinstating the NFA’s power would stabilize the rice price, adding that supply functions “will be regulated.”
“Ultimately, access to cheaper rice will be more feasible for poor Filipinos,” Padilla’s measure reads.
In line with this bid, the senator seeks to grant the following functions to NFA:
– Require the registration of all grains warehouses and maintain a national database of such registrations;
– Inspect warehouses as necessary to ensure compliance with standards related to rice quality and supply;
– Collect and analyze data on rice trade activities for informed policy and operational decisions;
Besides reinstating the power of the NFA, Padilla also seeks to increase the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund and extend its validity for another six years.
Padilla’s measure was lodged in light of the House of Representatives’ ongoing push for amending the Rice Tariffication Law.
READ: House OKs proposed rice tariff law amendments on 2nd reading
Senators Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara and Nancy Binay earlier said the government needs to carefully study plans to reinstate the mandate of NFA to buy and sell rice.
The three senators recalled how corruption hounded the agency when it still had the power to sell rice, supposedly at a cheaper price.
However, agriculture chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. clarified that the proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law do not necessarily seek to bring back the “full power” of the NFA.
READ: DA chief says RTL amendments won’t restore ‘full power’ of NFA