SPEAKER Faustino Dy III on Wednesday renewed his call to revisit Republic Act 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), stressing the need to ensure that the policy truly benefits Filipino farmers rather than undermines their livelihood.
During a meeting with farmers from Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Isabela, led by former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, Dy reaffirmed his commitment to stand with the country’s agricultural workers and push for reforms that strengthen local production.
‘The lifeblood and vitality of the province of Isabela come from our hardworking farmers. That is why we hold them in the highest respect and esteem. We continuously address their needs and challenges-from land and water to their livelihood,’ he said.
The farmers expressed full support for Dy’s proposal to restore the rice import tariff rate to 35 percent from the current 15 percent, saying that the reduction has led to a surge of imported rice that continues to hurt domestic producers.
The House leader emphasized that Congress must act to restore balance in the rice industry and provide farmers with fair protection from market distortions caused by excessive imports. He cited the importance of reviewing the RTL’s implementation and the utilization of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to ensure that assistance directly reaches farmers.
‘We need to thoroughly discuss and revisit the law,’ Dy said.
He added, ‘What we want is to return the control of importation to the Department of Agriculture and give priority to the purchase of local produce before allowing imports. We must prioritize our own harvest before bringing in imported goods.’
The Speaker and the farmers also discussed long-term infrastructure needs, including a planned highway connecting Metro Manila to Regions 2 and 3 to reduce transport costs and improve access to markets.
‘That has been our long-standing dream. If realized, it will greatly ease the delivery of products. Isabela contributes about 15 to 18 percent of Metro Manila’s consumption,’ he said.
‘Congress is always open to you. The doors of the House are not only for lawmakers but for those who truly sustain our nation-the farmers,’ he added.