Screengrab from Congress PH

The House of Representatives has passed House Bill No. 10381 on its third and final reading, which proposes amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law. The bill received overwhelming support, with 231 votes in favor, 3 against, and 1 abstention.

The Rice Tariffication Law, officially known as Republic Act No. 11203, was enacted in 2019 to liberalize the importation of rice in the Philippines. The law replaced quantitative restrictions on rice imports with tariffs, aiming to stabilize rice supply and prices. It also established the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to support local farmers through improved seed development, mechanization, access to credit, and training programs.

The proposed amendments in House Bill No. 10381 aim to address various implementation issues and further enhance the support mechanisms for Filipino rice farmers. The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.