Amending RTL
AS rice-eating people, Filipinos, now numbering more than 110 million, need to have enough supply of affordable rice throughout the year.
Admittedly, the “high prices” of the vital grain have stoked inflation and weakened the purchasing power of the citizens.
But it is heartening to know that there’s now concerted efforts to address the problem of skyrocketing rice prices in the country.
No less than President Marcos said last Monday that he would certify as urgent the proposed amendments to Republic Act (RA) 11203.
Likewaise, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has been pushing for the amendment of RA 11203, or the Rice Tarrification Law (RTL), to allow the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy and sell rice again.
At present, NFA is not allowed to buy and sell rice, with its role just limited to managing the country’s buffer rice stock.
Those seeking the amendment of RA 11203 said the NFA should be allowed to get involverd in the buying and selling of palay to balance out market forces.
“If we can introduce amendments to the NFA Charter in the RTL, this will allow us to control and influence the pricing of rice,” said Marcos, adding “that’s what we are going to do.”
Like other Filipinos, we believe that the government is out to protect the interests of consumers.
Let’s make sure that our people have access to low-priced rice even during the so-called “lean months.”
