Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Quezon City

First Regular Session
16" Congress

3897

House Bill No,

Introduced by Representative Emil L. Ong

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the steps the Government is taking to protect the local rice farmers is to tax rice
importation in a high rate so as to discourage the same, But instead of reaching its end, rice
smuggling proliferated and the price of rice in the market is getting higher and higher to the
detriment of both the local rice producers and the consumers.

It is for this purpose that this bill is seeking to address. This humble representation firmly
believes that rice smuggling can be eradicated only if private sectors should be prohibited from
engaging in rice importation and providing stiffer penalty for violation thereof. If the
Government is really serious in its thrust to protecting and promoting the interest of the local rice
producers and to lower the price of rice, it should have, through the National Food Authority, the
sole and exclusive power to engage in rice importation, It should not delegate the same to any
other persons or entity through the issuance of import permits.

Hence, passage of this bill into law is earnestly sought.

EMI

Representative, 2"! District of Northern Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Quezon City

First Regular Session
16" Congress

House Bill No. 3897

Introduced by Representative Emil L. Ong

AN ACT GRANTING THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY THE SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE POWER TO IMPORT RICE AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR THE
VIOLATION THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. It is the expressed policy of the State to promote and
protect the interest of the local producers of rice and to stabilize its price in a manner consistent
with the general welfare of the consumers and to advance self sufficiency of the country in so far
as this staple commodity is concerned.

Section 2, Only the National Food Authority shall have the sole and exclusive power to
import rice, free from any import duties or any other taxes including value added tax.

Section 3. Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person, association, corporation or
entity to import rice into any point in the Philippines.

Section 4. Penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall be punished t
by a fine of double the amount of the rice being smuggled and shall suffer the penalty of life
imprisonment. If the offender is a government official or employee, he shall, in addition, suffer
the penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

In the event that the violation is committed by a corporation, association or entity, the

penalty shall be imposed on the official responsible for the violation, in addition, revocation of


the juridical existence of the corporation, association or entity shall form part of the penalty to be
imposed.

Ri
through the National Food Authority,

imported in violation of this Act shall be confiscated in favor of the Government,

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. — If any provisions of this Act shall be held unconstitutional

or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in the full fore and effect.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, executive orders or issuances, or any parts thereof

which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 7, Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at least one

(1) newspaper of general circulation

Approved,