Rice farmers may expect to get cash aid from the government as early as September.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the expected P20 billion excess collection from rice tariffs allocated for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) this year will be used as cash aid and for crop diversification of farmers, among others.
Of that amount, P12 billion will be for cash aid to be disbursed as early as Septmber, according to DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
RCEF represents tariffs collected from rice imported by the private sector and is allocated to modernize and improve productivity of the rice industry.
Currently, P10 billion of rice tariffs is automatically set aside every year to mechanize rice farming, provide better seeds and other inputs to boost yield and increase farmers’ income, as well extend credit and extension services to farmers.
Excess collections, meanwhile, could be used for several proceeds to be decided by the DA.
The DA, citing data from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), said total rice tariff collected last year amounted to P29.93 billion.
“Last year’s excess was at P20 billion, P12 billion from that will be given as cash, P1 billion will be for land titling that can be given to DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform) for our farmers’ lands to have titles and the remaining P7 billion for crop diversification to high value crops,” Tiu Laurel Jr. said Tuesday during a forum hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Taguig City.
The DA will try to disburse the excess tariff collection earlier, Tiu Laurel said. Last year, the disbursement was made to beneficiaries in December.
Meanwhile, local farm group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) continues to to question the legality of Executive Order (EO) 62 series of 2024 that lowered tariffs on agricultural commodities, especially on rice.
Rosendo So, Sinag chair, said the National Printing Office (NPO) is yet to publish a copy of EO 62 so the BOC can implement the tariff cut.
The group is seeking a copy of the published EO and a certification by the NPO of the order’s publication before it seeks a temporary restraining order with the Supreme Court.
“Uploading on the Official Gazette is not publication,” So said.
