HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez has vowed to support legislation that will make the administration’s P20 per kilo rice program permanent and sustainable.
During a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. and Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Alvin John Balagbag, Romualdez assured them that he will mobilize the full legislative power of Congress to support the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) priority reform bills, which includes the following:
*Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) — restoring key regulatory powers to the National Food Authority (NFA) to stabilize prices and protect local production;
*Livestock Development and Competitiveness Act;
*Philippine Corn Industry Development Act;
*Onion Research Center Act;
*Amendments to RA No. 7308 or the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992; and
*Amendments to the Local Government Code to strengthen agricultural extension services at the LGU level.
Romualdez said these proposed measures are blueprints for lasting change and are critical to transforming the country’s food system — from farm to market — and making sure no Filipino is left hungry or helpless in the face of price shocks.
He said legislation is the strongest tool to make this program permanent.
“Sisiguruhin natin na may P20 per kilo na bigas sa merkado para sa mga nangangailangan — hindi lang ngayon, kundi sa mga susunod pang taon,” said Romualdez.
“We will build a system where affordable rice is not a seasonal miracle, but a daily reality. To do that, we must uplift our farmers. We cannot ask them to feed the nation without feeding their hopes. These laws will give them better seeds, tools, market access, and dignity,” he added.
The P20 per kilo rice program was piloted in the Visayas in May before it was rolled out in various Kadiwa ng Pangulo Centers in Luzon weeks after.
It initially covers the most vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The DA is set to expand the program to minimum wage earners by July. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)