The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Thursday defended Republic Act 11203, or the 'Rice Tariffication Law' (RTL), claiming that the liberalized rice regime it introduced became a “game changer” in further developing the Philippines' rice economy.

During a webinar attended by rice industry stakeholders, Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua highlighted the benefits of the law, calling it 'pro-consumer in the form of lower rice retail prices. Prior to RTL, we pay double compared to our neighbors for the same kilo of rice.'