fa SPREE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No. 8808

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Rice is the staple food of every Filipino and is at the core of the country's
agricultural development thrust. In view of the central role that this staple food
plays in the life of every Filipino, it underscores the need to provide for
contingency measures to ensure the adequate supply of rice for all.

This legislative measure thus provides for a mechanism whereby national
rice reserves will be maintained in order to cushion the impact of a rice shortage
during periods of national emergency.

Immediate passage of this bill is thus earnestly recommended.

MAXIMO B. Uy sx JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

6808

House Bill No.
AN ACT

ESTABLISHING EMERGENCY RICE RESERVES AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Emergency Rice Reserves

Act

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. \t is hereby declared the policy of the State to
ensure an adequate supply of rice at reasonable and affordable process for the
people in times of calamities.

SEC 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a)

(b)

Calamities are fortuitous event which include act of God such as
but not limited to typhoons, floods, droughts, earthquakes, fires,
volcanic eruption, 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 (NFA), equivalent to the 15-
day average national daily rice consumption to be maintained as
a matter of national policy.

SEC 4. Management. In order for the National Food Authority (NFA) to effectively

perform the functions and responsi

(1)

(2)

ities provided for in this Act, it shall:

Maintain and manage a government rice reserve equivalent to
fifteen (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 from small farmers and farmers’ cooperatives and
import only under abnormal conditions determined through
consultation with all affected sectors unless directed otherwise
by the President: Provided, That, the quality of the imported rice
shall be regular milled rice, thirty-five percent (35%) brokens, or
better; Provided further, That if 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.

(3) 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 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 that rice
stocks are refilled in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

SEC 6. Appropriations. There shall be appropriated from the funds of the
National Treasury a seed money of P4 Billion for its initial operations and
constituted into a revolving fund held in trust by NFA used for funding
replenishment and as a depository for funds obtained from the sale/monetization
of food security stocks. Thereafter, all such amounts as may be necessary for the
continued operation of said Fund which shall include the maintenance and/or
increase of the Food Security Rice Reserve, shall be automatically appropriated in
the 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 the Office of the President and to
both Committees on Agriculture of Congress.

SEC 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The NFA shall, within sixty (60)
days from the effectivity of this Act, issue the implementing rules and regulations
of this Act.

SEC 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act be deemed
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
force and effect.

SEC 10. Repealing Clause. All acts, presidential decrees, executive orders and
administrative orders, rules and regulations, and other such issuance or parts of
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly

SEC 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,