REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1330 
Introduced by HONORABLE RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III, 
HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, and 
 HONORABLE BRYAN B. REVILLA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Rice, the staple food for the vast majority the Filipino population, remains 
to be a fundamental component of the Philippine food security. As such, ensuring 
its stable supply and fair pricing is not merely an economic issue, but also a public 
welfare concern. 
Six years ago, Republic Act No. 11203 or the “Rice Tariffication Law” 
was enacted with the aim to increase supply and lower consumer prices by 
opening the market to more imports, replacing quantitative restrictions with 
tariffs. While this approach succeeded in increasing availability, it exposed the 
market to price volatility and highlighted the vulnerability of local farmers. 
Further, it largely relegated the National Food Authority (NFA), originally 
envisioned as a key player in stabilizing rice prices and securing buffer stocks, to 
an emergency role. Without adequate regulatory authority, the agency has been 
unable to effectively intervene in cases of hoarding, artificial supply shortages, 
July 7, 2025
8:10 am


or sudden price spikes – situations that ultimately hurt both producers and 
consumers. 
 
Hence, this proposed measure seeks to recalibrate the NFA’s mandate by 
restoring and enhancing its regulatory and market intervention powers. The 
measure empowers the NFA to oversee warehousing practices, monitor trading 
activities, enforce penalties for illicit practices such as profiteering and hoarding, 
and maintain a buffer stock sourced from local farmers and cooperatives. 
 
Moreover, the bill grants the Department of Agriculture the power to 
intervene in the market to ensure adequacy and stability of the prices of palay to 
protect farmers from market manipulation and unfair price setting. This would 
help guarantee that local producers receive fair value for their harvests, while 
consumers are shielded from unreasonable price increases and supply disruptions. 
 
By granting the NFA the tools it needs to intervene when necessary, the 
State fulfills its obligation to promote the welfare of farmers, protect consumers, 
and secure national food reserves.  
 
In view of the above, immediate passage of this measure is earnestly 
sought. 
 
     RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III 
 
 
 
LANI MERCADO-REVILLA 
BRYAN B. REVILLA 
 
 


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1330 
Introduced by HONORABLE RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III, 
HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, and 
 HONORABLE BRYAN B. REVILLA 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE REGULATORY POWERS OF THE 
NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY TO SUPPORT THE RICE INDUSTRY 
AND ENSURE CONSUMER PROTECTION THROUGH ADEQUATE 
SUPPLY AND STABLE PRICE OF RICE, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8178, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"AGRICULTURAL TARIFFICATION ACT", AS AMENDED 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Rice Industry 
1 
and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act”. 
2 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
3 
State to maintain food security and promote rice industry sustainability through 
4 
an integrated and responsive regulatory framework. Towards this end, the State 
5 
shall enhance the institutional capacity of the National Food Authority to oversee 
6 
rice supply and pricing mechanisms, protect consumer welfare, and safeguard the 
7 
interests of local rice farmers, consistent with equitable and strategic trade policy. 
8 


SEC. 3. Section 3 of RA 8178, as amended, is hereby further amended to 
1 
read as follows: 
2 
"SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — The following definitions apply 
3 
to the terms used in this Act: 
4 
  
x x x  
5 
(e) "Buffer Stock" refers to the optimal level of rice inventory for 
6 
[fifteen (15)] AT LEAST NINE (9) days that shall be maintained to 
7 
sustain the disaster relief programs of the government during natural or 
8 
man-made calamities and to address food security emergency situations on 
9 
rice. 
10 
x x x 
11 
SEC. 4. Section 5 of RA 8178, as amended, is hereby further amended to 
12 
read as follows: 
13 
"SEC. 5. Strengthening the Regulatory Function of the 
14 
Department of Agriculture (DA). – The DA, through the National Food 
15 
Authority (NFA), is hereby authorized to: 
16 
a) Require the registration and maintain a national database of all grain 
17 
warehouses, storage facilities, silos, and controlled-temperature cold 
18 
storages; 
19 
b) Conduct regular inspections of grain warehouses and agricultural facilities 
20 
to ensure compliance with palay and rice and supply standards and 
21 
regulations; [and] 
22 
(B-1) ORDER THE SEIZURE, WHENEVER THERE IS CORNERING, 
23 
HOARDING, PROFITEERING ACTIVITIES AS DEFINED BY 
24 
EXISTING LAWS OF RICE AND OTHER GRAINS AND THEIR 
25 
SUBSTITUTES AND/OR BY PRODUCTS THEREOF, INCLUDING 
26 


THE FACILITIES 5 USED IN THE SAID CORNERING, HOARDING 
1 
OR PROFITEERING ACTIVITIES, OR WHENEVER THERE IS 
2 
SCARCITY OF SUPPLY OF RICE IN THE MARKET OR 
3 
UNWARRANTED INCREASE IN THE PRICE THEREOF, ORDER 
4 
THE SEIZURE OF THE HOARDED COMMODITY AND ITS 
5 
PUBLIC SALE IN SUCH QUANTITY AS MAY BE NEEDED TO 
6 
STABILIZE THE SUPPLY IN THE AREA OF SCARCITY AND 
7 
RESTORE PRICES TO NORMAL LEVELS;  
8 
TO ENFORCE THIS PROVISION, THE NFA ADMINISTRATOR, OR 
9 
THE DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE, IS AUTHORIZED 
10 
TO IMPOSE ADMINISTRATIVE FINES AND PENALTIES; TO 
11 
CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS; TO REQUIRE BY SUBPOENA OR 
12 
SUBPOENA 
DUCES 
TECUM 
THE 
ATTENDANCE 
AND 
13 
TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES, THE PRODUCTION OF BOOKS, 
14 
PAPERS, DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, RECORDS, EVIDENCE; TO 
15 
ADMINISTER OATH; AND TO EFFECT THE SAID SEIZURES. 
16 
(B-2) REGISTER, LICENSE, AND PRESCRIBE AND COLLECT 
17 
FEES, CHARGES AND/OR SURCHARGES IN LICENSING 1
18 
 
AND REGULATING THE OPERATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING: 
19 
i. 
GRAINS WAREHOUSES OR ANY PERSONS ENGAGED IN 
20 
STORAGE OF RICE AND OTHER GRAINS AND THEIR 
21 
SUBSTITUTES AND/OR BY-PRODUCTS THEREOF; 
22 
ii. 
PERSONS, NATURAL OR JURIDICAL, ENGAGED OR 
23 
INTENDING TO ENGAGE IN THE BUSINESS OF PROVIDING 
24 
GOODS AND SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE DIFFERENT 
25 
ACTIVITIES 
INVOLVED 
IN 
THE 
PRODUCTION, 
26 
PROCESSING, 
TRANSPORTING, 
MARKETING 
AND 
27 


TRADING OF RICE, CORN AND OTHER GRAINS OR THEIR 
1 
SUBSTITUTES; 
2 
iii. 
PERSONS, NATURAL OR JURIDICAL, ENGAGED OR 
3 
INTENDING TO ENGAGE IN THE WHOLESALE AND/OR 
4 
RETAIL BUSINESS OF RICE, CORN AND OTHER GRAINS 
5 
OR THEIR SUBSTITUTES; AND 
6 
iv. 
PERSONS, NATURAL OR JUDICIAL, ENGAGED IN THE 
7 
PROCESSING OR MANUFACTURE OF GOODS WHERE 
8 
RICE, CORN OR OTHER GRAINS OR THEIR SUBSTITUTES 
9 
ARE USED AS INGREDIENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF 
10 
STARCH, OIL AND ANIMAL FEEDS OR OTHER SIMILAR 
11 
COMMODITIES AND THEIR BY-PRODUCTS OR END-
12 
PRODUCTS; 
13 
c) Collect and analyze data on rice trade activities in cooperation with the 
14 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the 
15 
National Food Authority (NFA), and other government agencies for 
16 
informed policy and' operational decisions. 
17 
The DA-BPI shall exercise the aforementioned powers in addition to its 
18 
existing powers related to sanitary and phytosanitary and food safety 
19 
standards. 
20 
Upon the request of the DA-BPI, the local government units (LGUs), the 
21 
Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, or other 
22 
law enforcement agencies shall provide prompt response and assistance in 
23 
the implementation of this section. 
24 
NFA MAY AUGMENT ITS PERSONNEL OR PLANTILLA 
25 
POSITIONS 
CORRESPONDING 
TO 
ITS 
ADDITIONAL 
26 
REGULATORY POWERS AND DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS." 
27 


SEC. 5. Section 6 (c) of RA 8178, as amended, is further amended to read 
1 
as follows: 
2 
"SEC. 6. Powers of the DA on the Rice Price Stabilization and Supply 
3 
Regulation. 
4 
 
x x x 
5 
(c) Import rice when the available supply of locally produced rice is 
6 
inadequate TO MAINTAIN A STABLE SUPPLY AND PRICE 
7 
CONDITION. The DA Secretary is authorized to designate the importing 
8 
entity within the DA [with the exception of the NFA] Provided, [t]That the 
9 
designated importing entity shall import THE TYPE OF rice TO BE 
10 
DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY at the least cost available 
11 
among government-to-government options, which shall include direct 
12 
contracts between the Philippine government and foreign governments, 
13 
including instrumentalities and State-owned enterprises of such foreign 
14 
governments. 
15 
SEC. 6. Section 11 of RA 8178, as amended, is further amended to read as 
16 
follows: 
17 
"SEC. 11. Maintenance and Disposal Rice Buffer Stock. - The NFA shall, 
18 
in accordance with the rules, regulations, and procedures, maintain an 
19 
optimal rice buffer stock to be sourced [exclusively] from local farmers, 
20 
FARMER COOPERATIVES, AND FARMERS' ASSOCIATION IN 
21 
PALAY FORM:  PROVIDED, THAT IF NEED ARISES, 
22 
PROCUREMENT MAY BE UNDERTAKEN IN MILLED RICE 
23 
FORM WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED QUALITY STANDARDS, IN 
24 
THE FOLLOWING ORDER OF PREFERENCE, AS FAR AS 
25 
PRACTICABLE, FROM: (A) RECIPIENTS OF DA RICE 
26 
PROCESSING 
SYSTEMS; 
(B) 
REGISTERED 
FARMERS 
27 


COOPERATIVES; AND (C) LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT (LGU) 
1 
RICE MILLS. 
2 
The NFA shall dispose of its rice buffer stock [one (1) month before the 
3 
aging period starts, following the first in, first out method] OBSERVING 
4 
GOOD 
WAREHOUSE 
AND 
STOCK 
MANAGEMENT 
5 
PRACTICES, WITH THE EFFORT TO PREVENT THE STOCKS 
6 
FROM AGING. 
7 
The aging process begins three (3) months from storage for MILLED rice 
8 
and six (6) months from storage for palay FORM. 
9 
In [both] ALL cases [,] [disposal through sale shall be through public 
10 
auction] AND IN ADDITION TO ITS EXISTING MANDATE TO 
11 
RELEASE STOCKS IN RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES AND 
12 
CALAMITIES, THE NFA SHALL PROVIDE THE GUIDELINES 
13 
ON THE DISPOSITION OF STOCKS THROUGH: 
14 
a) SALE OF RICE TO ACCREDITED NFA RETAILERS AND 9 
15 
THEIR SUBSEQUENT SALE TO THE PUBLIC SHALL BE 
16 
10 GOVERNED BY THE NFA SELLING PRICE BULLETIN; 
17 
b) SALE TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OR ENTITIES SUCH 
18 
AS THE FOOD TERMINAL, INC. (FTI) AND LGUS, THE 
19 
PUBLIC THROUGH KADIWA OUTLETS, FARMERS AND 
20 
FARMER COOPERATIVES AND ASSOCIATIONS WHO 
21 
SOLD THEIR PALAY TO NFA, AND ACCREDITED NFA 
22 
RICE RETAILERS; 
23 
c) SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION; OR 
24 
d) SUCH OTHER MEANS OF DISPOSITION ALLOWED 
25 
UNDER OTHER LAWS ENSURING TRANSPARENCY, 
26 


COMPETITIVENESS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PUBLIC 
1 
MONITORING. 
2 
FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF GOOD 
3 
STOCK MANAGEMENT, THE NFA SHALL DISPOSE MAXIMUM 
4 
OF ONE-FOURTH OF ITS TOTAL EXISTING BUFFER STOCK 
5 
EVERY MONTH UNLESS DIRECTED BY THE NFA COUNCIL 
6 
TO DISPOSE A HIGHER VOLUME." 
7 
SEC. 7. New sections to be denominated as Section 11-A and Section 11-
8 
B are hereby inserted after the Section 11 of RA 8178, as amended, to read as 
9 
follows: 
10 
"SEC. 11-A. SETTING OF FLOOR PRICE FOR PALAY - THE DA 
11 
SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO INTERVENE IN THE MARKET 
12 
TO ENSURE ADEQUACY OF SUPPLY AND STABILITY OF 
13 
PRICES OF PALAY. THIS INCLUDES THE AUTHORITY TO 
14 
ESTABLISH 
AND 
IMPLEMENT 
MECHANISMS 
FOR 
15 
REASONABLE AND FLEXIBLE FLOOR PRICE OF PALAY, ON 
16 
NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND PROVINCIAL LEVELS AT 
17 
WHICH THE RICE TRADERS MAY BUY FROM THE FARMERS, 
18 
AND TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE FOLLOWING: 
19 
i. 
COST OF PRODUCTION; 
20 
ii. 
PREVAILING MARKET PRICES; 
21 
iii. 
REASONABLE MARGINS FOR FARMERS; 
22 
iv. 
WELFARE OF BOTH FARMERS AND CONSUMERS; 
23 
AND 
24 
v. 
OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS AND CONDITIONS. 
25 
THE NFA SHALL UTILIZE ITS REINSTATED REGULATORY 
26 
FUNCTION TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES."  
27 


"SEC. 11-B. PENALTIES. - ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES THE 
1 
FLOOR PRICE POLICY OR ANY RULE OR REGULATION 
2 
ISSUED THEREUNDER SHALL BE SUBJECT TO: 
3 
i. 
REVOCATION 
OR 
SUSPENSION 
OF 
LICENSE, 
4 
TRADING PERMIT, OR ACCREDITATION; AND 
5 
ii. 
A 
FINE 
NOT 
EXCEEDING 
P2,000,000.00 
OR 
6 
IMPRISONMENT OF NOT MORE THAN TWO (2) 
7 
YEARS, OR BOTH, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE 
8 
COURT. 
9 
"IF THE OFFENDER IS A CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION, 
10 
THE PENALTY SHALL BE IMPOSED UPON ITS RESPONSIBLE 
11 
OFFICERS SUCH AS THE PRESIDENT, GENERAL MANAGER, 
12 
OR MANAGING PARTNER. 
13 
"IF THE VIOLATOR IS AN ALIEN, SUCH ALIEN SHALL BE 
14 
DEPORTED UPON COMPLETION OF SENTENCE, WITHOUT 
15 
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.  
16 
"ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE FOUND TO 
17 
HAVE 
AIDED, 
ABETTED, 
OR 
CONNIVED 
IN 
SUCH 
18 
VIOLATIONS SHALL BE PERPETUALLY DISQUALIFIED 
19 
FROM HOLDING ANY PUBLIC OFFICE, IN ADDITION TO 
20 
OTHER APPLICABLE PENALTIES." 
21 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of 
22 
Agriculture, in coordination with the National Food Authority, shall promulgate 
23 
such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
24 
Act, which rules and regulations shall take effect fifteen (15) days following their 
25 
publication in at least one newspaper of general circulation. 
26 


SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules 
1 
and regulations or portions thereof, which are not consistent with this Act, are 
2 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
3 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. – If any portion of the provisions of this 
4 
Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, all other provisions not affected shall 
5 
remain. 
6 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect immediately upon 
7 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
8 
Approved,