CHEAP STAPLE. Rice buffer stocks of the National Food Authority (NFA) inside a warehouse in this undated photo. The NFA and consumer group Bantay Bigas on Tuesday (April 30, 2024) said availability of subsidized rice in local markets shall serve as a beneficial option for consumers. (File photo courtesy of NFA)
MANILA – The National Food Authority (NFA) and a consumer group on Tuesday said the availability of subsidized rice in local markets shall serve as a beneficial option for consumers.
This came shortly after the House of Representatives reviewed the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), following the observation of House Speaker Martin Romualdez on the increasing gap between the farmgate and retail rice prices.
In an interview with PTV's Punto Asintado Reload, NFA officer-in-charge administrator Larry Lacson expressed openness to bringing back the subsidized rice in local markets if the law permits.
"Kami naman po sa NFA, kung kami po ay bibigyan uli ng ganyang function ay tatanggapin po namin iyan at ipatutupad po natin nang mahusay (We, in the NFA, if we will be given that function again, we will receive and implement it well)," he said.
Under the RTL, the NFA's role is limited to securing the national buffer stock equivalent to 300,000 metric tons (MT) of rice.
Lacson said this would ensure fair play with traders and millers.
"Anything po na magkakaroon ng kahit konting kompetisyon or ma-break iyong monopolyo o oligopoly, maganda po iyan sa consumer (to have a minimal competition or just break the monopoly or oligopoly, that's good for the consumer)," he said.
He, however, underscored the need to ensure an "improved" quality of rice which should match the commercial quality.
Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo, meanwhile, said the RTL failed to achieve its goal to provide a low retail price of rice of at least PHP25 per kilogram.
"Sa limang taon na implementasyon nito, wala tayong nakitang PHP25 per kilo, bagkus ay tumaas ng hanggang PHP60 hanggang PHP65 ang presyo ng bigas (For its five-year implementation, we didn't see a PHP25/kg. [of rice], instead it hit PHP60 to PHP65/kg. price of rice)," she said.
"Kaya it's high time na ibalik na iyong dating subsidized price ng NFA... Malaking bagay na sa malawak na kababayan na matagal nang naghahanap ng alternatibong mababang presyo (That's why it's high time to bring back the subsidized price of NFA. It's a huge thing for many fellow Filipinos who are longing for an alternative low price)," she added.
She said the NFA subsidized rice before ranged from PHP27/kg. to PHP32/kg.
To date, the price range of local regular milled rice in Metro Manila is set at PHP46/kg. to PHP52/kg, according to the Department of Agriculture's price watch. (PNA)
