MANILA – Unless President Rodrigo Duterte vetoes the proposed rice tariffication law, the measure is set to lapse into law today, Friday.
According to a report on GMA News’ “Unang Balita” on Wednesday, the bill which removes quantitative restrictions on rice importation is set to lapse into law today, Friday, Feb. 15, if Duterte decides not to take any action on it.
The Senate ratified in November the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the bill after it was passed by both chambers of Congress earlier last year.
The Malacañang said in December that Duterte was expected to sign the measure “soon”—but it has remained pending since then.
The measure aims to lift quantitative restrictions on rice and allow private traders to import the commodity from countries of their choice
Private importers, however, must secure phytosanitary permit from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry and pay a 35-percent tariff for shipments from Southeast Asian countries.
The National Food Authority (NFA), which regulates rice importation, said it needs more guidance on the proposed law.
According to NFA OIC Administrator Tomas Escarez, it is still unclear whether the NFA will still take the lead in distributing the commodity across the country.
“Not unless the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) is prepared na, malalaman natin kung ang NFA magdi-distribute pa or hindi. Hindi pa clear ‘yan,” he said.
“‘Yan ang mga gray area ngayon,” Escarez added.
The NFA is now waiting more information on the proposed law.
“Kung sakaling mawala ‘yung regulatory ng NFA ngayon over the local grains retailers, wholesalers, millers, mukhang wala nang power ang government para i-contain ‘tong mga hoarding, ‘tong misclassifications, underweighing, pagke-create ng artificial shortage,” Escarez emphasized.
Agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the department supports the proposed law.
“Very clear ang aming position na we support the tariffication,” he said.
“We were just asking for a little more study on the impact of total deregulation,” Piñol added.
Economic managers of the administration have repeatedly urged Congress to pass the proposed act, as higher food prices pushed inflation to reach nine-year highs in 2018. (GMA News)
