Rice is sold at a Kadiwa Store inside the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in Malate, Manila, May 30, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

A CONGRESSMAN on Monday proposed amending a 2019 law to allow the government to sell imported rice through Kadiwa outlets nationwide, enabling it to compete with private rice importers.

In his privilege speech to the House of Representatives plenary, Party-list Rep. Erwin T. Tulfo said the Rice Tariffication Act needed to be amended to reduce the retail price of the staple food.

Imported rice remains expensive despite an executive order slashing tariffs on rice imports to 15% from 35%, he said, noting that prices continue to hover at P50 to P60 per kilo despite its purpose to make “rice affordable at P42 to P45 per kilo.”

“The amendment I propose would allow government importation of rice to compete with the existing private imports, like the National Food Authority before, only this time the government imported rice will be distributed through licensed Kadiwa outlets nationwide,” Mr. Tulfo said, referring to a marketing initiative by the Agriculture department allowing direct farm-to-consumer access.

“By empowering the Department of Agriculture (DA) to import rice, we can create a balanced market where prices reflect the needs of consumers and limit undue price increases,” he said.

“It will provide the government with a stronger hand to stabilize prices, competing with the private sector while ensuring that ordinary citizens, the ones in the areas of our countries, are not left vulnerable to market fluctuations, hoarding and profiteering by some,” he added.

The Philippine Congress on Nov. 7 has transmitted to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. a measure seeking to amend the Rice Tariffication Act, which the House fast-tracked earlier this year amid pressure to reduce the prices of the staple food. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

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