Restoring the NFA's import authority

THE House of Representatives has just issued its latest consolidated version of a bill amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL or RA 11203). This will be reviewed by the Senate, which will either adopt the House version or craft its own bill prior to a bicameral meeting to produce a final measure for passage into law.

There are three major amendments being proposed, starting with the restoration of National Food Authority's (NFA) power to import rice. This was explicitly removed by the RTL and consigned the NFA to establishing a buffer stock for emergency situations by buying locally produced palay.