From Fields to Plenary: How Local Producers Are Fighting to Reclaim the Rice Market

MANILA - There was a time when the price of rice in the Philippines followed a predictable rhythm, but today, both the people who grow the staple and those who eat it find themselves at the mercy of a volatile market. Seeking to restore balance, major agricultural groups recently gathered at the House of Representatives to champion a legislative rescue mission: restoring the market intervention powers of the National Food Authority (NFA).

The photo shows a farmer planting rice. (Photo courtesy of magnific)

NFA vows to buy palay from local farmers – Palace

THE NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) has pledged to buy the palay (unhusked rice) of local farmers, Malacañang said Tuesday amid reports that the grains agency has been unable to purchase larger quantities because of limited budget.

DA triples monthly rice allocation for 'P29' program beneficiaries

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) has tripled the monthly rice allocation for vulnerable sectors benefiting from the Marcos administration’s "P29" program.

DA, JICA eye $200-M post-harvest project to boost rice output

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday disclosed plans with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to boost the Philippines’ rice output and reduce rice production losses.

Elderly pension, enhanced cybersecurity get highest approval ratings

THE UNIVERSAL social pension for senior citizens and the enhanced cybersecurity and data privacy measures for all government agencies receive the highest approval ratings among all national issues, a survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. released  lately.

NFA exceeds 100% of target palay purchase for H1 2024

THE NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) has already hit 100.06 percent of its target palay procurement for the first half of 2024.

Rice industry stakeholders ready to work with DA to reduce rice prices

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday expressed optimism that retail prices of rice will be further reduced with the help of rice industry stakeholders.

Higher buying price allows NFA to increase palay inventory

THE NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) said Wednesday the decision of its council to raise the buying price of palay (unhusked rice) has allowed the agency to exponentially increase its palay inventory within a month.

House passes bill on Rice Tariffication Law amendments

THE HOUSE of Representatives on Tuesday approved on final reading the measure seeking amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

Padilla files bill amending RTL, NFA Charter

SENATOR ROBINHOOD Padilla on Wednesday filed a bill seeking to amend Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) by enhancing the powers of the National Food Authority (NFA) in managing the country's rice supply chain to stabilize the price and supply of rice and provide Filipinos access to cheaper rice.

DA eyes expanded contract farming for more affordable rice

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) announced Monday an expanded contract farming program to offer more affordable rice in the country.

DA: Allowing NFA to buy, sell rice will stabilize prices

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday reiterated the move to re-allow the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy rice and sell it cheaper would stabilize cost when its retail price is too high.

House panel approves bill amending Rice Tariffication Law

THE MEASURE amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to allow the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell rice to markets at a lower price hurdled the committee level at the House of Representatives.

PBBM to certify as urgent Rice Tariffication Law revision

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said he would certify as urgent the bill proposing to amend the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), citing the need for the government to have control over or influence in the local rice market.

NFA: 170K bags of palay in 3 days with new buying price scheme

THE NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) reported the procurement of 170,000 bags of palay (unhusked rice) in just three days following the implementation of the higher buying price for the commodity nationwide.

NFA OIC wants cost-effective, flexible reforms in buffer stocking

THE NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) eyes more cost-effective and flexible reforms for national rice buffer stocking.

NFA implements new, higher palay buying price nationwide

THE NATIONAL Authority (NFA) implemented on Monday the new and higher buying price for play (unhusked rice) to help increase the country's national rice buffer stock and eliminate the single pricing nationwide.

Cebu allocates P100-M for cheap rice

THE PROVINCIAL government of Cebu will allocate P100 million to fund the cheap market project that would sell National Food Authority (NFA) rice at PHP20 per kilo and commercial rice at an affordable price.

Cebu gov’t soon to offer P20 per kg rice to poor constituents

THE PROVINCIAL government will allocate PHP100 million to purchase National Food Authority (NFA) rice to be sold in all local government units (LGUs) at PHP20 per kg., Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said Thursday.

Rice tariff reduction may slash prices by as much as P6 per kilo

THE DEPARTMENT of Finance's (DOF) proposal to reduce the 35-percent rice import tariff rates could bring down the price of imported rice by as much as PHP6 per kilo, a lawmaker said on Monday.