NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No.
24 MHY14 P5 56
RECElVLD 3V,___
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11203 OR 'AN ACT LIBERALIZING THE 
IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION AND TRADING OF RICE, LIFTING FOR THE 
PURPOSE THE QUANTITATIVE IMPORT RESTRICTION ON RICE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It is the policy of the State to maintain food security and ensure viability and 
efficiency of the agricultural sector. To this end, the State continues to develop policies 
and legislate laws to achieve stability and accessibility of food, particularly, rice.
The Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), or Republic Act 11203, signed into law by 
President Rodrigo Duterte on February 14, 2019, allowed for the removal of import 
quotas, taking off the cap on rice imports and allowing foreign rice to enter the market. 
Also dubbed the Rice Liberalization Law, it places a 35 percent tariff on imported rice 
coming from ASEAN countries and a 40 percent tariff on non-ASEAN countries. The rice 
tariffication law was expected to hasten agricultural growth and facilitate the 
transformation of the economy with gross domestic product increasing by at least 0.13 
percent in 2025.


Before the RTL, the National Food Authority's (NFA) role was to regulate the rice 
sector and was the only agency allowed to import rice shipments into the country. With 
the passage of the RTL, the NFA's power to intervene in the market was removed, thus 
prohibiting the agency from directly selling rice and restricting its role to stockpiling rice, 
which can only be sold during emergencies. It also removed the NFA's authority to 
regulate the rice sector, license market players, inspect warehouses, and track stock 
movements, while liberalizing rice importation.
Flaving said this, the present amendatory bill therefore seeks to restore the NFA's 
role in managing the country's supply chain. With the renewed and strengthened 
mandate of NFA in the amendatory bill, the stabilization of the price of rice will be 
guaranteed and supply functions will be regulated. Ultimately, access to cheaper rice 
will be more feasible for poor Filipinos.
In addition, to further improve our farmer's competitiveness and income, this 
proposed measure seeks to increase the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund and 
extend its validity for another six years after the approval of this act. This bill also 
recommends the creation of the Rice Industry Development-Program Management 
Office to ensure a holistic approach and improve collaboration and convergence of 
rice-concerned agencies and industry players.
For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
BmHOOD C. PADILLA
/ Senator


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
V ,v-'(©fftcr of til? ■( Tt.iri'
24 MAY 14 P5 56
SENATE
s. No. 2G72
RECEIVED B’;
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11203 OR 'AN ACT LIBERALIZING THE 
IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION AND TRADING OF RICE, LIFTING FOR THE 
PURPOSE THE QUANTITATIVE IMPORT RESTRICTION ON RICE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 3 of R.A. No. 11203 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. 3. Section 4 of RA No. 8178, as amended is hereby further amended to read 
as follows:
"SEC. 4. Repeal - The following laws and all other laws or provisions of law 
prescribing quantitative import restrictions or granting government agencies the 
power to impose such restrictions on agricultural products or hindering the 
liberalization of the importation, exportation and trading of rice are hereby 
repealed, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT 8800 OR THE 
SAFEGUARD MEASURES ACT.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 
29
Sec. 2. The new Section 4 and Section 5 are hereby inserted after the Section 3 of R.A. 
No. 11203, to read as follows:
SEC. 4. WAREHOUSE REGISTRATION AND MONITORING FUNCTIONS 
TO THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY (NFA)
THE NFA SHALL EXERCISE ITS AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE AND ENSURE 
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL PERTINENT STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS, 
LEVERAGING ITS ESTABLISHED EXPERTISE AND NATIONWIDE 
NETWORK TO UPHOLD THE NATIONAL INTEREST IN RICE BUFFER 
STOCKING AND FOOD SECURITY.
FURTHER, THE NFA IS HEREBY EMPOWERED TO:
1. 
REQUIRE THE REGISTRATION OF ALL GRAINS WAREHOUSES 
AND MAINTAIN A NATIONAL DATABASE OF SUCH 
REGISTRATIONS.
2. 
INSPECT WAREHOUSES AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE 
COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS RELATED TO RICE QUALITY 
AND SUPPLY.
3. 
COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA ON RICE TRADE ACTIVITIES FOR 
INFORMED POLICY AND OPERATIONAL DECISIONS.
SEC. 5. POWERS OF NFA ON PRICE STABILIZATION AND SUPPLY 
REGULATION.
THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, UPON THE 
RECOMMENDATION OF THE NATIONAL PRICE COORDINATING 
COUNCIL (NPCC) OR LOCAL PRICE COORDINATING COUNCIL (LPCC)


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 
29
MAY DECLARE AN EMERGENCY DUE TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
CONDITIONS:
I) 
A SHORTAGE IN THE SUPPLY OF RICE;
II) 
A SUSTAINED INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF RICE; OR
III) 
AN EXTRAORDINARY INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF RICE.
WHEN SUCH CASES OCCUR THE NFA MAY:
1. USE EXISTING INVENTORY, PRIMARILY INTENDED FOR BUFFER 
STOCKING, TO SUPPLY AREAS WHERE THE EXTRAORDINARY 
INCREASE IN PRICES OR ACUTE SHORTAGES IN SUPPLY OCCUR; 
AND
2. REPLENISH THE INVENTORY UTILIZED FROM AVAILABLE SOURCES;
PROVIDED, THAT THE DISTRIBUTION OR SALE OF RICE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE
FOLLOWING:
1. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES/ENTITIES AUTHORIZED TO HANDLE SALE 
OF RICE;
2. RETAIL OUTLETS, ORGANIZED WOMEN'S GROUPS AND 
COOPERATIVES DULY REGISTERED WITH THE COOPERATIVES 
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA) AND ACCREDITED BY THE DA;
3. OUTLETS RUN BY CONSUMER GROUPS AND SIMILAR 
ASSOCIATIONS DULY REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND 
EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) AND ACCREDITED BY THE DA; AND
4. KADIWA STORES, CENTERS AND OUTLETS.
Sec. 3. Section 4 of R.A. 11203 is hereby amended to read as foilows:


SEC.[-<H 6. A new Section [8] 6 is hereby inserted after THE NEW SECTION 5 
[Section d] of R. A. No. 8178, as amended, to read as follows:
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
"SEC. 5. Issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance for Rice 
for the Sole Purpose of Ensuring Food. Safety. - All importers of rice are 
required to secure a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) 
from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) prior to importation in accordance 
with existing laws, rules and regulations: Provided, That the clearance 
shall not provide for import volume [and timing] restrictions: Provided, 
further. That failure on the part of the BPI to release the SPSIC without 
informing the rice importer of any error, deficiency, omission, or additional 
documentary requirement shall mean automatic approval of the SPSIC 
applied for within seven (7) days after submission of the complete 
requirements.
"The imported rice should arrive before the [expiration of the SPSIC from 
the BPI] DATE INDICATED IN THE SPSIC ISSUED BY THE BPI, 
AFTER WHICH THE SPSIC SHALL BE CONSIDERED EXPIRED.
THE BPI SHALL IMPOSE APPROPRIATE FEES AND MEASURES IN 
CASES OF LOW AND NON-UTILIZATION OF ISSUED SPSIC TO 
ENSURE TIMELY ARRIVAL OF IMPORTED RICE."
"The food safety regulatory function of the NFA under Item (i). Section 16 
of R. A. No. 10611, otherwise known as the 'Food Safety Act of 2013', is 
hereby transferred to the BPI."
"SEC. 6. STRENGTHENING THE REGULATORY FUNCTION OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
B.
THE BPI SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO INSPECT IN 
RELATION TO SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY 
STANDARDS AND FOOD SAFETY OF THE WAREHOUSES 
WHERE THE LOCAL MARKET PLAYERS (I.E. PADDY 
TRADERS, MILLERS, WHOLESALERS, AND RETAILERS) AND 
IMPORTERS STORE OR KEEP THEIR MILLED RICE;
THE DA INSPECTORATE AND ENFORCEMENT SHALL HAVE 
THE AUTHORITY TO ASSIST BPI IN CONDUCTING 
REGULAR AND UNSCHEDULED INSPECTIONS OF 
AGRICULTURAL FACILITIES, FARMS, AND RELATED 
ENTITIES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH HEALTH, SAFETY 
AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS."
13 Sec. 4. Section 8 of R.A. 11203 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. [8i 10. A new Section 8 is hereby inserted after the new Section 7-A of 
R.A. No. 8178. as amended, to read as follows:
"SEC. 8. Maintenance of Rice Buffer Stock. - The NFA shall, in accordance 
with the rules, regulations, and procedures to be promulgated, maintain 
sufficient rice buffer stock to be [solely]-sourced from [local] farmers
AND/OR FARMERS ORGANIZATIONS / ASSOCIATIONS / 
COOPERATIVES.
FURTHERMORE, THE NFA SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE 
LOCAL MILLED RICE AS NECESSARY TO FULFILL ITS MANDATE, 
SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, GOVERNMENT RULES, AND 
REGULATIONS.
IN CASE THESE ALTERNATIVE SUPPLY ARRANGEMENTS ARE NOT 
SUFFICIENT TO ADDRESS THE MINIMUM BUFFER STOCK 
REQUIREMENTS OR IN CASE OF EXTRAORDINARY 
CIRCUMSTANCES, THE NFA SHALL BE GIVEN THE OPTION TO


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26 
27
PURCHASE XX PERCENT OF THE RICE BROUGHT IN BY 
ACCREDITED IMPORTERS AT THE CIF LANDED PRICE DECLARED 
BY THE IMPORTER BASED ON CUSTOMS DOCUMENTS.
AS A FINAL RECOURSE, THE NFA SHALL BE GRANTED THE 
AUTHORITY TO DIRECTLY IMPORT RICE, SUBJECT TO EXPLICIT 
AUTHORIZATION FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC. THIS 
AUTHORITY IS TO BE EXERCISED SOLELY IN CIRCUMSTANCES 
WHERE DOMESTIC SUPPLY DEFICITS NECESSITATE SUCH 
IMPORTS TO STABILIZE THE NATIONAL RICE SUPPLY AND 
MAINTAIN THE OPTIMAL BUFFER STOCK.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, PRIORITY SHALL BE 
GIVEN TO LOCAL PRODUCTION.
13 Sec. 5. Section 9 of R.A. 11203 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. [9] 11. A new Section 9 is hereby inserted after the new Section 8 of R.A. 
No. 8178. as amended, to read as follows:
"SEC. 9. Lifting of Quantitative Export Restrictions on Rice — Any and all laws, 
rules, regulations, guidelines, and other issuances imposing quantitative export 
restrictions on rice are hereby repealed EXCEPT IN CASES OF FOOD 
SECURITY EMERGENCIES AS DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF 
AGRICULTURE. The exportation of rice shall be allowed in accordance with the 
established rules, regulations and guidelines."
Sec. 6. Section 13 of R.A. 11203 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. 15. A new Section 13 is hereby inserted after the renumbered Section 
12 of R. A. No. 8178, as amended, to read as follows:


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
"SEC. 13. Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. - There is hereby 
created a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, herein referred to as 
the Rice Fund'. THAT THE RICE FUND SHALL BE EXTENDED FOR 
ANOTHER SIX (6) YEARS UPON APPROVAL OF THIS ACT. The Rice 
Fund shall consist of an annual appropriation of [Ten billion pesos 
(PIO,000,000,000.00)] FIFTEEN BILLION PESOS (15, 
000,000,000.00) for the next six (6) years following the approval of this 
Act and shall be automatically credited to a Special Account in the General 
Fund of the National Treasury shall be in place within ninety (90) days 
upon the effectivity of this Act.
THE PRESIDENT, THROUGH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE 
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, AFTER THE RECOMMENDATION 
OF THE PROGRAM STEERING COMMITTEE, IN REFERENCE TO 
PARAGRAPH 5 OF THIS SECTION, MAY REALLOCATE THE 
FIFTEEN BILLION RICE FUND WITHIN THE CORE COMPONENTS 
SHOULD THE NEED ARISES.
LIKEWISE, THE EXCESS TARIFF REVENUES MAY BE 
REALLOCATED TO THE CORE COMPONENTS AND THE OTHER 
PROGRAMS TO BE FUNDED.
"At the end of the sixth (6th) year, a mandatory review shall be 
conducted by the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and 
Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM) to determine whether the Rice Fund 
and its use as provided for under this Act shall be continued, amended, or 
terminated. The COCAFM shall utilize the increase or decrease in farmers' 
incomes as a primary benchmark in determining the effectiveness of the 
interventions under the program and its possible extension.


"The Secretary of Agriculture shall be accountable and responsible for the 
Rice Fund in coordination with other government agencies concerned.
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 
29
"The amount allocated shall be released directly to the implementing 
agencies as provided for in this Act based on the objectives and plans of 
the rice industry roadmap; Provided, That the unutilized portion of the 
Rice Fund allocated to the implementing agencies AND COLLECTIONS 
FROM REPAYMENTS FROM LOAN BENEFICIARIES INCLUDING 
INTERESTS, IF ANY, shall not revert to the General Fund but shall 
continue to be used for the purpose for which it was set aside. Fund 
releases charged against the Rice Fund shall not be subject to any ceiling 
by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
"Any program undertaken in accordance with this Act shall only be 
deemed complementary and supplementary to and shall not be a 
replacement of any existing programs for rice and rice farmers already 
implemented by the DA and other agencies concerned.
"Subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations, the 
Rice Fund shall be allocated and disbursed to rice producing areas, as 
follows:
"(a) Rice Farm Machineries and Equipment - 53.5% of the Rice 
Fund shall be released to and implemented by the Philippine Center for 
Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) as grant in kind 
to eligible farmers associations, registered rice cooperatives, and local 
government units (LGUs), in the form of rice farm equipment, such as 
tillers, tractors, seeders, threshers, rice planters, harvesters, irrigation 
pumps, small solar irrigation, reapers, driers, millers, and the like, for 
purposes of improving farm mechanization: Provided, That the PHilMech


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
shall, whenever feasible, procure from accredited local manufacturers to 
assist in the promotion of locally manufactured farm machineries and 
equipment.
PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RCEF 
MECHANIZATION COMPONENT IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE 
CONSTRUCTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF POSTHARVEST AND 
PROCESSING FACILITIES. THIS INCLUDES WAREHOUSES, GRAIN 
STORAGE FACILITIES, AND DRYING FACILITIES;
"(b) Rice Seed Development, Propagation and Promotion - 28% 
of the Rice Fund shall be released to and be implemented by the 
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and which shall be used for 
the development, propagation, promotion AND DISTRIBUTION of 
[inbred] PREFERRED rice seeds to CLUSTERED rice 
farmers. FURTHERMORE, THE RICE FUND SHALL ALSO BE USED 
BY PHILRICE FOR THE CONTINUED [and-tbe] organization of rice 
seed growers associations and/or cooperatives engaged in seed 
production and trade.
"THE PREFERRED RICE SEEDS TO BE DISTRIBUTED SHALL 
DEPEND ON FARMER'S CHOICE OF EITHER INBRED SEEDS 
AND/OR LOCALLY PRODUCED PUBLIC HYBRID RICE SEEDS.
FURTHER, A SPECIFIED PORTION OF THE RCEF SEED IS HEREBY 
ALLOCATED TO THE BPI FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE 
SEED CERTIFICATION SYSTEM CRITICAL TO PROVIDING 
FARMERS WITH HIGH-QUALITY SEEDS;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
"(c) Expanded Rice Credit Assistance -[Ten percent (10%)] 6% of 
the Rice Fund shall be made available in the form of credit faciiity with 
minimal interest rates and with minimum collateral requirements to rice 
farmers and cooperatives, to be managed equaily by the Land Bank of the 
Philippines (LBP) and the Deveiopment Bank of the Philippines (DBP) 
FURTHER, THE CREDIT ASSISTANCE COMPONENT OF RCEF 
SHALL OPERATE AS A REVOLVING FUND, WITH THE PRINCIPAL 
AND INTEREST PAYMENTS ON LOANS MADE FROM THE FUND TO 
BE RE-DEPOSITED INTO THE FUND AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR 
NEW LOANS TO ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES;
"(d) Rice Extension Services [- Ten percent (10%)] 5% of the Rice 
Fund shall be made available for the extension services provided by 
PHilMech, PhilRice AND Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) [arid 
Technical Education and Skiils Development-Authority (TESDA)] for
teaching skills on rice crop production, modern rice farming techniques, 
seed production, farm mechanization, and knowledge/technology transfer 
through farm schools nationwide as foliows: [seventy percent (70%) te 
TESDA, ten percent (10%) each to ATI, PhilRice and PHilMechj FIFTY 
PERCENT (50%) TO ATI, TWENTY FIVE PERCENT (25%) TO 
PHILMECH, AND TWENTY FIVE PERCENT (25%) TO PHILRICE.
"PROVIDED, THAT THE KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY 
TRANSFER THROUGH FARM SCHOOLS SHALL GIVE PREFERENCE 
TO FARMERS WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED TRAININGS IN THE 
PAST TWO YEARS;
"(E) SOIL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT - FOUR PERCENT (4%) 
OF THE RICE FUND SHALL BE RELEASED TO AND IMPLEMENTED 
BY THE BUREAU OF SOILS AND WATER MANAGEMENT (BSWM)
10


AND SHALL BE USED TO ADDRESS THE MICRONUTRIENT 
DEFICIENCIES THAT LIMITS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OTHER 
PRODUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES;
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 
29
"(F) PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT - TWO PERCENT 
(2%) THE RCEF THROUGH BPI AND DA-RFO REGIONAL CROP 
PROTECTION CENTER SHALL INTEGRATE COMPREHENSIVE PEST 
AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO PROTECT AND 
ENHANCE RICE PRODUCTION; AND
"(G) RID-PMO - 1.5% - ALLOCATED TO THE RID-PMO, 
THIS FUNDING SHALL SUPPORT A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES 
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, OVERALL COORDINATION, 
REGULAR MONITORING, AND MANAGEMENT OF A 
COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE. IT WILL ALSO FUND THE CONDUCT 
OF ANNUAL, MID-TERM, AND END-OF-TERM REVIEWS AND 
EVALUATIONS OF THE RICE FUND. ADDITIONALLY, THIS 
ALLOCATION WILL FACILITATE THE EMPOWERMENT OF RICE 
CLUSTERS, AIMING TO ENHANCE THEIR OPERATIONAL 
CAPABILITIES AND STRENGTHEN THEIR ROLE IN THE NATIONAL 
RICE STRATEGY."
"Provided, That the percentage allocation will be reviewed BY THE
CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURAL 
AND FISHERIES MODERNIZATION (COCAFM) on the third year of 
the effectivity of this Act [for possible revisions should intervention 
priorities change] AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER.
"Provided, further. That preferential attention should be given to rice 
farmers, cooperatives and associations adversely affected by the
11


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
tariffication of the quantitative import restriction on rice in accordance 
with the thrust and priorities of R. A. No. 8435, as amended, otherwise 
known as the 'Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act' and the 
Philippine Development Plan (PDP). The increase or decrease of farmers' 
incomes shall be the primary benchmark in granting these interventions. 
"Provided, furthermore. That if the annual tariff revenues from rice 
importation exceeds [Ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00)] FIFTEEN 
BILLION PESOS (P15,000,000,000.00) in any given year within [six 
(6)][ year period following the effectivity of this Act, the excess tariff 
revenues shall be [earmarked by Congress and included in the General 
Appropriations Act (GAA) of-the following yearHUSED FOR ANY OF THE 
FOLLOWING UPON DETERMINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY, TO WIT:
"(a) Rice Farmer Financial Assistance - A portion of the excess rice 
tariff revenues shall be released to the DA and shall be used for providing 
direct financial assistance to rice farmers who are farming two (2) 
hectares and below regardless of whether they continue farming rice or 
not as compensation for the projected reduction or loss of farm income 
arising from the tariffication of the quantitative import restrictions on rice;
21
22
23
24
25
26 
27
[■'(b)-Titling of Agf4cultural Rico Lands—A portion of the excess rice
tariff-revenues shall be released to the Department of Agrarian Reform
(BAR),-Department of Environment and Natural Resources-(DENR) and
Land Registration Authority (LRA). and shall be used for the subdivision
and titling of agricultural rice-lands or parts thereof awarded to farmer-
beneficiaries under-the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)
and other similar programs of the government:]
12


1
2
3
4
5
"[^] (B) Expanded Crop Insurance Program on Rice - A portion of 
the excess tariff revenues shall be released to the Philippine Crop 
Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and shall be used for the provision of crop 
insurance to qualified rice farmer-beneficiaries under « its existing 
agricultural insurance programs; and
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26 
27
"[(d)] (C) Crop Diversification Program - A portion of the excess 
tariff revenues shall be released to the DA and shall be used for 
productivity-enhancement programs for rice farmers seeking to diversify 
production towards other crops. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE 
FOLLOWING;
"C.l RICE-BASED CROP DIVERSIFICATION TRAININGS;
"C.2 POSTHARVEST MACHINERIES/FACILITIES -SHALL BE 
USED TO PROCURE OTHER FARM EQUIPMENT AND CATER 
POSTHARVEST FACILITIES NOT COVERED BY SEC 13 (A) OF 
THIS ACT; AND
"C.3 SEEDS AND FERTILIZERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - 
SHALL BE USED TO PROCURE SEEDS AND FERTILIZERS, 
WHICH SHALL BE PROVIDED TO RICE FARMERS AS WELL AS 
OTHER RICE-BASED FARMERS SEEKING TO DIVERSIFY 
PRODUCTION TOWARDS OTHER CROPS;
(D) SOLAR POWER IRRIGATION - A PORTION OF THE 
EXCESS TARIFF REVENUES SHALL BE USED TO DEVELOP AND 
CONSTRUCT SOLAR-POWERED WATER PUMPING SYSTEMS; AND
28
13


1
2
3
4
5
(E) SMALL WATER IMPOUNDING SYSTEM - A PORTION OF 
THE EXCESS TARIFF REVENUES SHALL BE USED TO ENSURE 
ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY IN RICE AREAS THROUGH WATER 
IMPOUNDING AND WATERSHED REHABILITATION AND 
DEVELOPMENT."
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26 
27
IN THE EVENT THAT THE TARIFF REVENUE FALLS SHORT OF PHP 
15,000,000,000.00, THE DBM SHALL AUTOMATICALLY AUGMENT 
THE FUNDING REQUIREMENT OF RCEF.
"THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND 
THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL 
SUBMIT TO THE COCAFM AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE TARIFFS 
COLLECTED FROM RICE IMPORTS AND THE AMOUNT 
APPROPRIATED TO THE RICE FUND.
"THE DA, PHILMECH, PHILRICE, LBP, DBP, AND ATI SHALL 
SUBMIT TO THE COCAFM THROUGH THE RID-PMO AN ANNUAL 
REPORT ON THE USE OF THE RICE FUND.
"The Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries 
Modernization (COCAFM) shall conduct [a periodic] AN ANNUAL review 
of the use of the Rice Fund. THE COCAFM SHALL UTILIZE THE 
INCREASE OR DECREASE IN FARMERS' INCOMES AS A PRIMARY 
BENCHMARK IN DETERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE 
INTERVENTIONS UNDER THE RICE FUND."
Sec. 7. Section 14 of R.A. 11203 is hereby amended to read as follows:
14


1 
SEC. [44§ 16. A new Section 14 is hereby inserted after the new Section
2 
13 of R. A. No. 8178, as amended, to read as follows:
3 
"SEC. 14. Beneficiaries of the Rice Fund. - The beneficiaries of the
4 
Rice Fund shall be those farmers and farmworkers [and their
5 
dependents] listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in
6 
Agriculture (RSBSA) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS, and rice
7 
cooperatives and associations accredited by the DA. [Within one
8 
hundred-eighty (180) days from the cffectivity of this Act, ]The DA,
9 
in consultation with farmers' cooperatives and organizations and
10 
LCDs, shall REGULARLY validate and update the masterlist of
11 
eligible beneficiaries to ensure that those listed are legitimate
12 
farmers, farmworkers and rice cooperatives and associations.
13 
THE COVERAGE OF THE RCEF SHALL BE EXPANDED TO
14 
INCLUDE ALL RICE-PRODUCING PROVINCES TO ENSURE
15 
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL RICE
16 
INDUSTRY.
17 
["In order to focus on the-targeted rice farmer bcncficiariesj
18 
cooperatives and associations for the Rice Fund, the list-of-riee
19 
producing provinces and LGUs,-as-provided for by PhilRice 
as-of
20 
2015-2018. shall, be the basis and-shall-be added to the roadmap
21 
as an appendix."]
22 
Sec. 8. A new Section is hereby inserted after the renumbered Section 13 of R.A. No.
23 
11203, to read as follows:
24
25 
SEC. 16. CREATION OF RICE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT-PROGRAM
26 
MANAGEMENT OFFICE. - TO ENSURE THE HOLISTIC APPROACH,
27 
COLLABORATION/CONVERGENCE OF RICE CONCERNED AGENCIES
15


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
AND INDUSTRY PLAYERS; AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION AND 
ENSURE COMPLEMENTATION OF "RICE PROGRAMS", A PROGRAM 
MANAGEMENT OFFICE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED.
THE RID-PMO IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO HIRE PERSONNEL IN THE 
DA CENTRAL AND REGIONAL FIELD OFFICES. IT SHALL ALSO SERVE AS 
THE RCEF PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARIAT FOR THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.
Sec. 9. Section 17 of R.A. 11203 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. [i7] 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within [forty five (/I5)] 
NINETY (90) days of this Act, the DA, NEDA, and DBM shall, in coordination 
with NIA, PCIC, PHilMech, PhilRice, LBP, DBP, ATI, and other government 
agencies concerned and after consultation with directly affected stakeholders, 
promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of 
this Act.
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall continue to be 
in full force and effect.
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
16