In a decisive pivot back to stronger government intervention in the rice sector, the Department of Agriculture is finalizing a draft bill that seeks to restore key functions of the National Food Authority (NFA).

This policy move is designed to address persistent supply instability, price shocks, and farmer disenfranchisement in the wake of the Rice Tariffication Law.

The proposed legislation aims to recalibrate national food security strategy by equipping the NFA with wider regulatory and operational powers to better manage buffer stocks, stabilize rice prices, and support domestic rice farmers – especially amid global price volatility and climate-linked disruptions.

“This is one of several measures House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez asked the DA to craft to help the government advance its food security agenda – particularly the program of President Marcos to sustain P20-per-kilo rice for vulnerable sectors through 2028,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr said.

Beyond price targets, the draft bill seeks to amend key provisions of the Rice Tariffication Law to re-enable the NFA to perform critical stabilizing functions, regulating rice distribution and marketing, setting a floor price for palay, and managing a DA-led importation framework that ensures timely responses to shortages.

“These changes will significantly address market inefficiencies and promote fairness – especially for farmers who work the land for months but remain the most disadvantaged,” NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said.

“For the NFA, this means becoming more efficient, more responsive, and financially stronger.”