k 
SEWTE 
~a TME SECRETAW 
j l  . 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
5 FEE 22 P1 30 
S. B. No. 
1927 
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY E JERCITO ESTRADA 
Rice is the staple food of every Filipino aiid is at tlie core of the country's 
agricultural development thrust. 111 view of the central role that tlus staple food 
plays with tlie life of every Filipino, it underscores tlie need to provide for 
contingency measures to ensure the adequate supply of rice for all. 
i 
This legislative measure thus provides for a mechaiusm whereby a 
national rice reserve will be iiiaiiitaiiied in order to cushioi~ the iiiipact of a rice 
shortage during periods of national eiiiergency. 
Immediate passage of this bill is thus earnestly recommended. 


5 FEE 22 P 1  30 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
s. E. No. 1 9 2 7  
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
ANACT 
ESTABLISHING AN EMERGENCY RICE RESERVE 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enucted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of rhe Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. T i f k  This Act shall be known as the “Emergency Rice Reserve 
Act of 2003”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
ensure an adequate supply of rice at reasonable and affordable prices for the people in 
times of calamities. 
SEC. 3. Definitions of Terms- As used in this Act, the following t e r n  shall 
mean: 
(4 
Calamities are fortuitous events which include acts of God such as but 
not limited to typhoons, floods, droughts, earthquake, fxes, voIcanic 


. 
eruptions, lahar flows, and acts of man such as political and/or civil 
disturbances, and wide-spread civil unrest; and 
Emergency Rice Reserve is the inventory or stock of rice and/or palay by 
the National Food Authority @FA), equivalent to the 15-day average 
national daily rice consumption to be maintained as a matter of national 
(b) 
policy. 
SEC. 4. Management- In order for the National Food Authority@FA) to 
effectively perform the functions and responsibilities provided for in this Act, it shall: 
(1) 
Maintain and manage a government rice reserve equivalent to fifieen (15) 
days 
of the national rice consumption for the current year and determine 
the location and distribution of such stocks into depots nationwide. 
Procure stock fiom small farmers and farmer’s cooperatives and import 
only under abnormal conditions determined through consultation with all 
affected sectors unless directed otherwise by the President: Provfded, that, 
the quality of imported rice shall be regular milled rice, thirty-five percent 
(35%) brokens, or better; 
Provided, fither, that, in case all or part of 
the initial reserve is imported, NFA will have the option to release the 
imported stocks at a price that will allow it to procure locally its 
equivalent volume in palay form to maintain the fifteen (15) day rice 
reserve. 
Release to the market said government rice reserve upon the declaration of 
a state of calamity by the President of the Republic of the Philippines: 
Provided, that, such declaration shall specifically state that NFA rice 
reserve is to be released to the market upon the recommendation of the 
(2) 
I 
(3) 


Secretary of the Department of Agriculture: Provided: further, that, the 
release price of said rice shall be based on the prevailing market price 
immediately prior to the occurrence of the calamity. 
SEC. 5. Refill of Emergency Rice Reserve. The NFA shall ensure thaf rice stocks 
are refilled in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Appropriufian.- There shalI he appropriated &om the funds of the 
National Treasury, a seed money of P4 billion for its initial operations and constituted 
into a revohing fund held in trusf by NFA used for h d i n g  repIenishment and as a 
depository for funds obtained from the salelmonetization of food security stocks. 
Thereafter, all such amounts as may be necessary for the continued operation of said 
Fund which shall include the maintenance andor increase of the Food Security Rice 
Reserve, shall be automaticaIIy appropriated in €he General Appropriations Act as 
approved by Congress. 
SEC. 7. Monitoring and Review.- The NFA shall regularly review and assess the 
national palay and rice situation and, on the bases of the data and information collected 
prepare a report to be submitted to €he Ofice of the President and to both Committees on 
Agriculture of Congress. 
SEC, 8. implementing Rules and ReguCutions.- The NFA shall, within sixty (60) 
days &om the effectivity of this Act, issue the implementing rules and regulations of this 
Act. 


SEC. 9. Separability Clause- If any provision of this Act shall be deemed 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force 
and effect. 
SEC. 10. &pealing Cfause. -All Acts, Presidential Decrees, Executive Orders 
and Administrative Orders, Rules and Regulations and other such issuances or parts 
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 11. EjJeciivity Clause.- This Act shalt take effect fateen (15) days after its 
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
i Approved,