The Department of Agriculture (DA) is backing the proposed amendments to Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to allow the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell rice at a lower price.

The DA issued the statement after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he would certify the proposed amendments to RTL as urgent, considering that the NFA’s mandate is now limited to national buffer stocking under RTL.

In an ambush interview, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the legislative action may be favorable in preparation for the looming La Niña and other emergency cases.

“The DA is supportive of that. It’s better to have this provision especially if there are emergency cases. It’s better if NFA and the DA can intervene in the market," de Mesa said.

Former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol also expressed support for the urgent amendment of RTL, saying the NFA may sell rice at around P40 per kilogram to P45/kg.

Piñol said that at this range, although higher than the original P27/kg, the subsidized price is much lower than the current offer of private traders who typically double the market price.