THE GOVERNMENT should consider giving back control to the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell rice in public markets amid increasing prices of basic goods, a congressman told a House panel hearing on Monday.

“By taking away the authority (of the NFA) to sell rice to the public at a lower cost, you removed the ability of the people, the poor, to buy cheaper rice,” Party-list Rep. Erwin T. Tulfo said.

Aside from deregulating the importation of rice products, the Rice Tariffication Law (Republic Act No. 11203) also removed the ability of the NFA to sell rice directly to public markets, only allowing the agency to monitor and ensure ample rice stocks for use during times of emergency.

“Our people are looking for NFA rice. There’s no more NFA rice in the markets today,” Mr. Tulfo said.

The enactment of Republic Act (R.A.) 11203 allowed the NFA to directly sell rice to the public, NFA Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Administrator Mario G. Andrada told the House Agriculture and Food Committee.

The NFA can only sell rice to local governments, he added. “LGUs (Local Government Units) can buy rice stocks from us, with them selling it to the public,” he said in Filipino.

A review of the law should include considering the restoration of the NFA’s authority to sell rice to public markets, Mr. Tulfo said.

While the current law disallows the selling of NFA rice to public markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) could utilize its buffer fund to stockpile rice stocks to be provided in Kadiwa stores, DA Assistant Secretary Paz Benavidez II said.

“Not all towns in the Philippines have Kadiwa (stores). Kadiwa only exists three to four times a week,” Mr Tulfo said.

‘EXTEND RICE FUND’The DA has proposed the extension of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) up to 2030 as the fund is set to expire next year.

DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Christopher V. Morales is also seeking to increase the funding of farm machinery under the RCEF to 55% from its current share of 50% in the P10-billion annual allocation.

Amending the Rice Tariffication Law to allow the department secretaries of the agriculture and trade agencies to import rice under “specified conditions” is also recommended by Mr. Morales, allowing the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and DA to secure buffer stocks alongside the NFA.

Suggested amendments to empower the secretaries of DA and DTI to import rice under specified conditions alongside allowing the NFA to secure buffer stocks through alternative schemes

“We’re also recommending disallowing exports during food security emergencies during time,” he said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio