Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has voiced its support for the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act, which aims to restore the National Food Authority's (NFA) regulatory functions. This move is intended to benefit both farmers and consumers by allowing the NFA to have a more active role in the rice market.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa highlighted that once the RICE Act is enacted, the NFA would regain its powers, including the mandate to revive the accreditation of NFA retail outlets in markets. The initiative is in response to House Bill No. 1, introduced by reelected Leyte 1st District Representative and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. The bill seeks to reauthorize the NFA to intervene in the rice market, accrediting retail outlets, and selling affordable rice directly to consumers.

Currently, the NFA's role under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) is restricted to maintaining a 15-day buffer stock for emergencies, with rice stock releases beyond this requiring a national emergency declaration. De Mesa stated that reinstating the NFA's authority would enable the agency to release rice directly to markets without going through local government units or the Food Terminal Incorporated, providing a more efficient distribution method.

De Mesa also emphasized that the reinstatement of the NFA's authority would allow the agency to set a floor price for palay, offering protection to farmers from low buying prices. As of early July, farmgate prices had dropped to as low as PHP7 per kg in Mindanao and PHP8 to PHP12 per kg in parts of Luzon, while the NFA's buying rate remains at PHP19 to PHP24 per kg.

Meanwhile, the DA's 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na' program continues to provide assistance by selling rice at PHP20 per kg to vulnerable sectors across 101 sites nationwide, targeting 4Ps beneficiaries, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and minimum wage earners.