Former senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino has vowed to push for amendments to the Rice Tariffication Act during a dialogue with farmers in Aguilar, Pangasinan on Tuesday.
Aquino, who is seeking to win a slot in the May 12 Senate race, said the law has failed to bring down the prices of rice, which is one of the primary intentions of Republic Act (RA) 11203 that was enacted in 2019.
RA 11203 lifted the quantitative restrictions on rice importations with a tariff system to guarantee the protection of Filipino rice producers.
It was meant to ensure that farmers directly benefit from the liberalization of rice trading by providing P10 billion to P30 billion a year to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund until 2031.
But Aquino noted that the law affected local rice production, which decreased from 99 percent to 60 percent due to the entry of imported rice.
“Mahalaga talaga na baguhin ang polisiya ng gobyerno, hindi lang puro imported. Dapat yung tulong ay umaabot sa inyo (It is important that we amend government policies. We should not just rely on importation. Government assistance should be felt by the people),” Aquino said during the meeting.
He also stressed funds intended for fertilizers, seedlings, and farm machineries should be given to their rightful beneficiaries.
He likewise underscored the need to bring down the prices of basic commodities, such as rice.
“Ang food security ay national security. Matatag ang bansa natin kung kayang pakainin ng mga Pilipino ang sarili niyang kababayan (Food security is national security. We will have security if Filipinos if we are able to provide food to everyone),” Aquino said.
In a separate dialogue with “puto” or rice cake makers in Calasiao also in Pangasinan, Aquino said a whole-of-government approach should be put in place to help small vendors and businesses in the countryside become successful.
“Maganda na may tulong para sa mga vendors kasi mahal na ang bigas at asukal. Ito yung hinahanap natin na lahat tayo nasa posisyon na kaya maging successful, nasa posisyon na kaya nating kumita para sa ating pamilya (It will be good if the government will help our vendors because the prices of sugar and rice are high. What we want is that everyone will have the chance to be successful and that everyone will be in a position to help their families),” he said.
Aquino had previously pushed for the passage into law of the “Go Negosyo” Act when he chaired the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship.
The measure aims to help Filipinos jumpstart their own businesses.
