NFA seeks return of regulatory powers to help stabilize rice prices

GMA Network

3 days ago

The National Food Authority (NFA) is urging lawmakers to support a proposed bill that will restore its regulatory and market intervention functions—powers that agency officials say are critical to stabilizing rice prices, protecting farmers, and securing the nation's food supply.
Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson emphasized that bringing back these powers will enable the agency to perform its original mandate of keeping rice prices within reach of both producers and consumers.
"Napakahalaga na maibalik yung iba naming functions, lalo na ang market intervention functions," he said. (It's very important to restore some of our functions, especially market intervention functions.)
"Ang intention naman is to tame the prices," he added.
Under the current setup, Lacson explained, the NFA has limited ability to release rice from its stocks in a timely manner to offset price surges in the market. With market intervention restored, the agency would be able to act more decisively.
"Kapag kami ay regular na nakakapaglabas ng aming stocks, mas lalong magiging fresh ang aming stocks dahil mare-replenish. At the same time, gaganda ang daloy ng financial capability namin," he said.
(If we can regularly release our stocks, they'll stay fresh because they'll be replenished. At the same time, our financial capacity will improve.)
Buying milled rice directly from farmers
A major provision in the draft bill allows the NFA to buy not just palay, but also milled rice directly from farmers and cooperatives.
"Hindi lamang palay ang pwede nating bilhin sa magsasaka kundi pati yung milled rice na bigas kung kinakailangan," Lacson stressed.
(We can now buy not just palay from farmers, but also milled rice if necessary.)
"Yung ating mga magsasaka ay mas lalong lalaki ang kita."
(Our farmers will be able to earn more.)
Lacson added that this setup would also enhance food security, as it allows the NFA to quickly acquire ready-to-distribute rice during supply shocks.
Controlled importation to protect local harvest
The draft bill also proposes limits on rice importation, especially during harvest season, to protect local farmers from price crashes caused by a sudden influx of imported rice.
"Kukontrolin o hindi gagawin during harvest period, so that ang ating mga magsasaka ay hindi maapektohan ng pagbaba ng presyo ng kanilang pinaghirapang palay," he said.
(It will be controlled or avoided during harvest, so that our farmers won't be affected by a drop in palay prices.)
Setting floor price for palay, selling price for rice
To further support farmers, the NFA will set a floor price for palay based on production costs computed by the Department of Agriculture.
For consumers, the NFA will set a ceiling price for the rice it releases to the market, to prevent retailers from excessive markups.
"Mayroon ding selling price na ise-set kami para sa mga retailers," he said.
(We will also set a selling price for retailers.)
"Hindi mapapagsamantalahan ang ating mga consumers," he added.
(Our consumers will not be exploited.)
Restoring regulatory teeth
The bill also seeks to restore the NFA's regulatory powers, including licensing and registration of industry players. This would allow the agency to enforce rules and impose sanctions.
"Makakaroon ng ngipin. May kapangyarihan ang NFA mag-sanction. Kapag napatunayan na lumalabag sa batas, puwedeng ipasara."
(We'll have teeth. The NFA will have the power to sanction. If they are found to be breaking the law, they can be shut down.)
Meanwhile, NFA also expressed its committed to expanding support for Filipino farmers grappling with low palay prices and scaling up the government's P20-rice program to reach 15 million households next year.
Lacson assured the public that the NFA has sufficient rice reserves to sustain the ongoing P20-rice program, which has been rolled out through Kadiwa stores and local government partners.
As of June, the NFA's buffer stock stands at 11.5 days—well above emergency thresholds—with ongoing palay procurement expected to push reserves even higher.
'Next year po, lahat ng target na 15 million households ay mararating natin,' Lacson said.
(Next year, we will reach the target of 15 million households.)
He also emphasized that the rice being distributed under the P20-rice program has passed strict quality checks, including moisture testing and laboratory inspection, to ensure that it remains safe and suitable for household consumption. — BM, GMA Integrated News