MANILA – Concerned government agencies have 45 days from the day the rice tariffication law is in effect to promulgate its implementing rules and regulations.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11203 on Feb. 14. It will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
The Department of Agriculture, National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management will promulgate the IRR in coordination with the following:
- Land Registration Authority
- National Irrigation Authority
- Land Bank of the Philippines
- Agricultural Training Institute
- Department of Agrarian Reform
- Philippine Rice Research Institute
- Development Bank of the Philippines
- Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
- Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization
The law mandates consultations with “directly affected stakeholders” before the IRR Is promulgated.
The measure removes the quantitative restrictions on rice and allows private traders to import the commodity from countries of their choice.
Private importers, however, must secure phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry and pay a 35-percent tariff on shipments from Southeast Asian countries and higher rates on imports outside the region.
The law earmarks P10 billion for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, of which P5 billion will be allotted to farm mechanization, P3 billion to seedlings and P1 billion to expanded rice credit assistance.
The fund intends to ensure that rice imports won’t drown out the agriculture sector and rob farmers of their livelihood.
A copy of the law was released by Malacañang on Monday. (GMA News)
