The Department of Agriculture has launched ground consultations with farmers and lawmakers to gather feedback on the proposed Rice Act, which aims to reform the Rice Tariffication Law and restore key regulatory powers to the National Food Authority .

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., currently abroad for medical recovery, on Monday directed Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro, National Rice Industry Development Program Undersecretary Chris Morales, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson, and Food Terminal Inc. President Joseph Lo to lead the consultations.

“No less than House Speaker Martin Romualdez has endorsed the proposed Rice Act, designating it as House Bill No. 1. This underscores the House of Representatives' strong commitment to correcting flaws in the Rice Tariffication Law—loopholes that have been exploited by unscrupulous traders to the detriment of our farmers,” Tiu Laurel said. 

Tiu Laurel added the proposed Rice Act is expected to address the DA’s limited control over rice imports, which currently weakens its ability to manage local supply.

The bill, formally titled the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment Act, seeks to restore the NFA’s power to regulate the rice market and curb hoarding, profiteering, and price manipulation.

With Congress set to reconvene on 28 July, the DA hopes the bill will be passed either this year or before the next harvest season.

The NFA currently buys palay at P17 per kilo for fresh and up to P24 per kilo for dry. To support its procurement drive, the agency is adding more trucks, upgrading warehouses, and seeking a larger budget.

As of 30 June, the NFA had already procured 149 percent of its first-half target, stretching its capacity to meet growing farmer demand. However, increased rice imports, aided by low global prices and tariffs, have dampened the agency’s impact.

The National Rice Program, on the other hand, continues to provide inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, while the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization supplies machinery to lower costs and boost yields.