Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez announced recently that the House of Representatives and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are committed to working together to achieve the ambitious goal of reducing the price of rice to below P30 per kilo in certain parts of the country starting in July, a press release from the House of Representatives said.
“We are confident that it is possible to offer rice below P30 per kilo as early as July this year. The Department of Agriculture is currently identifying the areas where affordable, well-milled rice will be made available to the public,” Romualdez said.
“Although we cannot yet achieve this throughout the entire country, we can start in selected areas identified by the Department of Agriculture. We hope that this initiative will soon reach all parts of the country, especially after the amendment of the Rice Tariffication Law,” added the House leader.
Romualdez made this announcement following a productive, hour-long meeting with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, key officials from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and other agencies affiliated with the Department of Agriculture (DA) at the Speaker’s Office.
The discussion took place right after these officials attended a congressional hearing on proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law.
The Speaker noted that the goal of offering rice below P30 per kilo was established after House leaders and Agriculture officials identified certain loopholes in the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law that could be immediately addressed through collaborative efforts between the legislative and executive branches.
Secretary Tiu Laurel clarified that despite the restrictions imposed by the law, the National Food Authority (NFA) may be authorized to sell affordable rice through KADIWA centers, which can be established nationwide with the support of local government units.
“Starting in July, some of these KADIWA centers will be operational in specific regions and will offer affordable, well-milled rice five days a week. The operation of these centers will depend on the rice supply available to the National Food Authority,” Tiu Laurel explained.
“Gradually, we aim to increase the number of KADIWA centers across the country with assistance from local government officials. Many have volunteered to provide public spaces for these centers,” he added.
Romualdez emphasized that House leaders would encourage city and municipal mayors to identify public spaces for KADIWA centers to help make this plan a reality.
For a long-term solution, Speaker Romualdez mentioned that the House would expedite the process of amending the Rice Tariffication Law and ensure that the amendments are passed on the third and final reading before the sine die congressional break.
“We will also appeal to our senators to prioritize these amendments in Congress as requested by the President,” he concluded.*
