Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__213

Introduced by Representatives
MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING and HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR.

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE UTILIZATION OF THE APPROPRIATIONS INTENDED FOR
THE RICE SUBSIDY OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG
PILIPINO PROGRAM (4PS) UNDER THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR
THE PURCHASE OF RICE FROM LOCAL FARMERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 11203, otherwise known as the Philippine Rice Tariffication Law, which
was enacted in 2019, aims to ensure food security and to stabilize food prices in the country, whilst
complying with the principles and rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). While the new
policy reduced consumer and producer rice prices, rice growers have been negatively impacted.'

Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the average farmgate price of palay
declined from P19.28 (prior the promulgation of R.A. No. 11203) to P17.16. Farmers and farmer
groups have continuously pleaded the government for support, especially given the current rising,
cost of production and fuel prices. While support programs, in the form of loan assistance and
distribution of farm equipment and implements are in place, there is still a great clamor for the
goverment to extend more assistance.

bill seeks to authorize the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in
n with the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority, to use the rice
subsidy allocation provided under the General Appropriations Act in order to purchase palay
directly from local farmers and distribute rice instead of cash to the qualified beneficiaries. At
present, beneficiaries of the rice subsidy program receive P600.00 monthly on a per household
basis.

* Balie, Jean; Minot, Nicholas, Valera Harold Glenn A. Distributional impacts of the rice tariffication policy in the
Philippines. Retrieved June 27, 2022 from https://www-sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0313592620304525
? Based on a 3-year average pre- and post- enactment of RA No. 11203 (2016-2018 and 2019-2022). Data retrieved
from https://psa.gov.ph/content/palay-and-corn-quarterly-bulletin?page=1


‘This measure likewise provides for the DSWD, the DA and the NFA, with the support of
the Department of Finance and the National Economic Development Authority, to craft the
procedures and guidelines needed from purchasing palay from local farmers to the distribution of
rice to the beneficiaries.

This bill aims to help ease the burden of our local farmers who have been negatively
impacted by the influx of imported rice, the rising cost of production, and high fuel prices.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

GQ

HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR.
2" District of Sultan Kudarat



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

213

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING and HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR.

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE UTILIZATION OF THE APPROPRIATIONS INTENDED FOR
THE RICE SUBSIDY OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG
PILIPINO PROGRAM (4PS) UNDER THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR
THE PURCHASE OF RICE FROM LOCAL FARMERS

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

SECTION 1. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is hereby authorized
to utilize the appropriations intended for the rice subsidy of the beneficiaries of the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the annual General Appropriations Act for the purchase
of palay from local farmers.

SEC. 2. Instead ofa cash subsidy, the DSWD is hereby mandated to distribute rice to the following
qualified beneficiaries of 4Ps: (i) those registered in the Pantawid Pamilya Information System;
(ii) victims of natural and man-made disasters rendered homeless and with no means of livelihood;
(iii) indigenous peoples in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas; (iv) homeless street
families; and (v) transitioning households whose level of well-being have improved but still at
high risk of subsequently falling back into survival level as they precariously live with little or no
buffer against economic shocks.

SEC. 3. The 4Ps beneficiaries shall be given rice equivalent to the cash subsidy in the amount of
Six Hundred Pesos (P600.00) per month on a per household basis. Only 4Ps beneficiaries who
comply with the conditions provided in Section 11 of Republic Act No. 11310, otherwise known
as the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act”, are entitled to the rice subsidy.

SEC. 4, Within sixty (60) days from the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the DSWD, in
consultation with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA),
shall establish the procedures and guidelines for the purchase of palay from local farmers, and the
distribution of rice by the DSWD-designated outlets to 4Ps beneficiaries. The Secretary of the

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Department of Finance (DOF) and the Director General of the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) shall likewise provide support in the crafting of the procedures
and guidelines.

SEC. 5. The DSWD Secretary shall submit a year-end report to both Houses of Congress on the
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules and regulations, and other issuances

or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or
in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,