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Speaker Romualdez Foresees Rice Prices Below P30 Per Kilo By July
Photo credit: Congress PH
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez disclosed the House of Representatives' and Department of Agriculture's joint commitment to bringing down the price of rice to below P30 per kilo in selected regions of the country starting this July.
"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," Speaker Romualdez affirmed.
Acknowledging the limitations, Romualdez stated, "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."
The announcement followed a constructive meeting between Speaker Romualdez, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, and key officials from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), held at the Speaker's Office immediately after a congressional hearing on proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law.
Romualdez underscored that the objective of offering rice below P30 per kilo was established following an identification of loopholes in the law's implementation by House leaders and Agriculture officials, which could be addressed through collaborative efforts between the legislative and executive branches.
Secretary Tiu Laurel outlined plans to authorize the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell affordable rice through KADIWA centers, which will 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," Tiu Laurel elaborated.
Romualdez stressed the importance of local government cooperation, stating, "We are all working together to ensure the success of this plan. Although it may be a short-term solution, the important thing is that we make affordable rice available to the public as soon as possible."
Regarding long-term solutions, Romualdez emphasized expediting the process of amending the Rice Tariffication Law and appealing to senators for prioritization of these amendments in Congress, as requested by the President.
"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," Speaker Romualdez affirmed.
Acknowledging the limitations, Romualdez stated, "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."
The announcement followed a constructive meeting between Speaker Romualdez, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, and key officials from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), held at the Speaker's Office immediately after a congressional hearing on proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law.
Romualdez underscored that the objective of offering rice below P30 per kilo was established following an identification of loopholes in the law's implementation by House leaders and Agriculture officials, which could be addressed through collaborative efforts between the legislative and executive branches.
Secretary Tiu Laurel outlined plans to authorize the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell affordable rice through KADIWA centers, which will 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," Tiu Laurel elaborated.
Romualdez stressed the importance of local government cooperation, stating, "We are all working together to ensure the success of this plan. Although it may be a short-term solution, the important thing is that we make affordable rice available to the public as soon as possible."
Regarding long-term solutions, Romualdez emphasized expediting the process of amending the Rice Tariffication Law and appealing to senators for prioritization of these amendments in Congress, as requested by the President.
May 7, 2024
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