Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Filipinos despite the need to meet the increasing local demand for rice, local rice 
farmers and producers are also able to tap a huge export market for certain varieties 
of rice, particularly that of the aromatic and fancy kind, which are highly favored 
internationally in making specialty rice cuisine.  Aromatic rice that emits fragrance, 
particularly a pandan-like scent, is a type of specialty rice that possesses unique 
characteristics making them highly valuable in the market. 
As of February 2019, the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) has been ratified, which means 
that quantitative restrictions (QR), or the maximum volume quota, has been removed. 
This has negative impacts on local farmers since cheaper but good-quality imported 
rice was patronized by market players and consumers. The Philippines cannot 
compete with other neighboring countries due to the high costs of production.1 
The growing popularity of aromatic rice dishes, not only in Asia and the Middle East 
but also in the United States, Canada, and Europe, has sparked demand for the 
Jasmine rice of Thailand, the Basmati varieties of India and Pakistan, and other 
varieties and grades which provide a natural aroma when cooked, such as those 
already locally developed. With these trends in place, the aromatic rice sector has 
great potential for industry expansion. This potential is important to be explored 
especially in the current Philippine agriculture setting.2 
By supporting local production of such aromatic and fancy rice varieties and 
authorizing their exportation, the National Government can help set the Philippines 
again as a major player in the international rice market. 
Considering the merits of this bill, its early approval is earnestly requested. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
1 Beltran JC. Daplin KM, Relado-Sevilla et al. (2021) Productivity and profitability of aromatic rice production in the 
Philippines. International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research 8, no. 4: 209-221. 
2 Ibid. 
November 10, 2022
2:54 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE THE PRODUCTION OF AROMATIC RICE AND FANCY RICE 
VARIETIES AND TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPORTATION THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared a policy, that whereas the 
country is striving to attain self-sufficiency in rice production in the ordinary, hybrid and 
other varieties of rice for domestic consumption, it is important and critical that we 
open up opportunities for the production and exportation of aromatic rice and fancy 
rice varieties which command a premium in the world market. 
The provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding, the National Food 
Authority is hereby empowered to directly export, or through accredited export 
producers and traders, aromatic rice and fancy rice varieties, preferably those 
organically grown, as these are in high demand in international markets. 
SECTION 2. Aromatic rice and fancy rice varieties for export. – The aromatic rice 
and fancy rice varieties that may be authorized for export under this Act shall include: 
Sinampaguita; Denorado; Milagrosa; Sinandomeng; Maligaya Selection 3, 6 and 8; 
College # 22, UPLB Rice # 5 and 7 and such other varieties as the National Food 
Authority may determine, after production trials and market analysis, and thereby 
declared to be marketable for export. 
SECTION 3. Means of support. – The National Food Authority shall encourage the 
production of such identified aromatic rice and fancy rice varieties through direct 
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technical assistance, funding support, stand-by purchase commitments, or in 
cooperation with government or private sector institutions, formulate and implement 
production and export programs for such varieties of rice. 
 
SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect in fifteen (15) days after 
publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the 
Philippines. 
 
Approved,