Marcos OKs law amending RTL, extends RCEF until 2031

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. on Monday signed into law a measure amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to improve the country’s rice industry and ensure more stable food supplies.

In signing Republic Act (RA) 12078, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act, Marcos said the government aims to ensure that farmers have steady “access to resources they need to succeed in rice farming.”

“This will enable us to do much more for our farmers, ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed and to make the rice industry even more competitive,” Marcos said in his speech during a ceremony at the Malacañan Palace.

The newly enacted law will extend the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) until 2031 and increase its annual funding from P10 billion to P30 billion.

Marcos noted that the RCEF allowed the government to invest in high-quality seeds, mechanization, and training for farmers, ensuring that they “are equipped with the right skills and tools to increase their productivity.”

“With the expiration of the original six-year plan for RCEF fast approaching, it became clear that we needed to extend and strengthen the program,” he added.

Under the newly signed law, the additional funding is set to support priority projects such as training and extension services, financial assistance to rice farmers tilling up to two hectares of land, expanded rice credit assistance, composting facilities for biodegradable waste, pest and disease management, soil health improvement, farming support programs on contract farming, and the establishment of solar-powered irrigation systems.

This measure also intends to further enhance the Seed Program and the Mechanization Program, which will provide more farmers access to high-quality seeds to boost their yields.

Marcos said the new law would likewise strengthen the regulatory function of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to strictly oversee the rice industry’s systems and its policies, ensuring that the rice reaching the markets complies with quality standards and regulations.

“In cases of sudden rice shortages or price hikes, the DA will now be empowered to take the necessary actions to stabilize the market,” he said.

“This will help ensure that the price of rice remains affordable and accessible to every Filipino.”

According to Marcos, the new law also allows the Bureau of Plant Industry “to inspect rice warehouses and manage a national database to track grain storage, safeguarding our food supply and ensuring its safety for the public.”

He also believes that the amended RTL empowers farmers “to thrive and help our country secure a stable food supply.”

“By increasing investments in agriculture, providing more resources, and creating a more competitive rice industry, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more self-sufficient Philippines,” said Marcos.