HJR0018: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET OF FIFTEEN BILLION PESOS (P15,000,000,000) TO BE IMMEDIATELY RELEASED TO THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY (NFA) AND DIRECTING THE LATTER TO EXCLUSIVELY USE THE AMOUNT TO URGENTLY PROCURE AT LEAST 750,000 M
This joint resolution proposes a supplemental budget of PHP 15 billion to be released immediately to the National Food Authority (NFA) to procure at least 750,000 metric tons of palay (unhusked rice) from local farmers at a farm gate price of PHP 20 per kilogram, and to sell NFA rice at PHP 27 per kilogram. The primary goal of this measure is to alleviate the severe negative impacts of the Rice Liberalization and Tariffication Law (Republic Act No. 11203) on Filipino farmers. The law has led to a drastic decline in palay prices, causing significant income losses for farmers, with some regions reporting farmgate prices as low as PHP 7-11 per kilo, and an estimated PHP 40 billion lost in the first half of 2019 alone.
The resolution highlights that existing aid programs, such as the PHP 1 billion for Expanded Rice Credit Assistance and the PHP 1.5 billion for the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers (SURE Aid), are insufficient to support the estimated 2.4 million rice farmers. By providing the NFA with substantial funds to directly purchase palay at a fair price and sell NFA rice at a reasonable price, the resolution aims to stabilize the market for local farmers and ensure affordable rice for consumers, thereby directly addressing the economic hardship faced by the agricultural sector and easing the burden on the populace.