Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Diliman, Quezon City

20 CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1299

Introduced by: HON. MARK ANTHONY G. SANTOS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed bill, known as the "Expanded Rice Tariffication Act of 2025," is designed to
enhance the capabilities of the National Food Authority (NFA) to ensure rice stability and national
food security. Recognizing that rice is a fundamental staple food in the Philippines, this Act aims
to provide the NFA with the necessary and clear functions for effective oversight, regulation, and
intervention within the rice industry. Specifically, this bill grants the NFA explicit authority to
manage warehouse registration and monitoring, ensuring quality and sufficient supply by requiring
the registration of all grain warehouses, maintaining a national database, and conducting
inspections. It also defines the NFA's powers for price stabilization and supply regulation during
a "Food Security Emergency," outlining how the NFA can utilize and replenish its buffer stock,
and, as a last resort, resort to direct importation with the explicit concurrence of the Secretary of
Agriculture, Furthermore, the bill clarifies the NFA's role in assisting other relevant agencies in
enforcing health, safety, and environmental standards within the agricultural sector. Finally, it
reaffirms the NFA's mandate to maintain a sufficient rice buffer stock, primarily sourced from
local farmers, and details the mechanisms for procurement, including limited purchases from
accredited importers and direct importation only when domestic sources are exhausted. By clearly
defining and strengthening these powers, this Act intends to enable the NFA to more effectively
manage the country's rice supply, stabilize prices, and respond swiftly to any threats to food
security, ultimately benefiting Filipino consumers and farmers.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of thi

bill is earnestly sought

MARK ANTHONY G. SANTOS
Representative, Lone District of Las Pifias

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Diliman, Quezon City

20 CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1299

Introduced by: HON. MARK ANTHONY G. SANTOS

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE POWERS OF THE NATIONAL FOOD
AUTHORITY (NFA) TO ENSURE RICE STABILITY AND FOOD
SECURITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8178,
AS AMENDED

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 “Expanded Rice Tariffication Act
of 2025.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
ensure food security, especially with regard to rice, and to stabilize the supply and price of rice in
the country. To achieve this, the National Food Authority (NFA) shall be empowered with the
necessary functions to effectively oversee and regulate the rice industry, maintain strategic buffer
stocks, and respond to food security emergencies.

SECTION 3. Amendment of Republic Act No. 8178. — A new Section 5 is hereby
inserted into Republic Act No. 8178, as amended, to read as follows:

“SEC. 5. NFA Warehouse Registration and Monitoring. — The National Food Authority (NFA)
shall have the authority to oversee and ensure compliance with standards in rice quality and supply
in the Philippines. To this end, the NFA is hereby empowered to

(a) Require the registration of all grain warehouses, including those owned and operated by private
entities, and maintain a comprehensive national database of such registered warehouses;

(b) Conduct regular and unscheduled inspections of registered warehouses to ensure compliance


with established standards for rice quality, storage, and inventory management; and

(c) Collect and analyze data on rice trade activities, including but not limited to, inventory levels,
prices, and movements of rice, to inform policy decisions and ensure market transparency."

SECTION 4. Amendment of Republic Act No. 8178. — A new Section 6 is hereby
inserted into Republic Act No. 8178, as amended, to read as follows:

"SEC. 6, NFA Powers on Price Stabilization and Supply Regulation. — In cases of a
Food Security Emergency, the NFA shall have the following powers

(a) A Food Security Emergency shall be declared by the Secretary of the Department of
Agriculture (DA) upon the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC),
or the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) as approved by the NPCC, due to:

(1) A significant shortage in the national or regional rice supply;

(2) A sustained and extraordinary increase in the price of rice that adversely affects
the general welfare; or

(3) Any other circumstance that threatens the stability of rice supply and prices

(b) During a declared Food Security Emergency, the NFA may utilize its existing buffer
stock inventory for distribution to affected areas.

(c) The NFA shall prioritize the replenishment of its buffer stock from local sources.

(d) If local sources are insufficient to replenish the buffer stock during a Food Security
Emergency, the NFA may, with the explicit written concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture,
resort to importation of rice.

(e) The NFA may maintain a buffer fund, not exceeding fifty percent (50%) of the calamity
allocation, specifically for the purpose of replacing utilized rice inventory during emergencies.

(f) Distribution or sale of rice under this section shall be limited to:
(1) Government agencies or entities authorized to handle rice sales;
(2) Accredited retail outlets and organized women's groups; and
(3) Kadiwa Stores, Centers, and Outlets."

SECTION S. Amendment of Republic Act No. 8178. — A new Section 11 is hereby
inserted into Republic Act No. 8178, as amended, to read as follows:

"SEC. 11. Assistance in Regulatory Functions. ~ The National Food Authority (NFA)
shall provide prompt response and assistance to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the DA
Inspectorate and Enforcement, if requested, in the conduct of regular and unscheduled inspections
of agricultural facilities, farms, and related entities for compliance with health, safety, and
environmental standards, and in the enforcement of relevant laws and regulations."


SECTION 6. Amendment of Republic Act No. 8178. — Section 8 of Republic Act No.
8178, as amended, is hereby renumbered as Section 12 and further amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 12. Maintenance of Rice Buffer Stock. — The National Food Authority (NFA) shall
maintain a sufficient rice buffer stock to be primarily sourced from local farmers and/or farmers
organizations/associations/cooperatives. To fulfill this mandate, the NFA is authorized to purchase
locally milled rice.

If alternative supply arrangements are insufficient or in extraordinary circumstances, the NFA,
with the explicit written concurrence from the Secretary of Agriculture, may purchase up to thirty
percent (30%) of rice brought in by accredited importers at the declared cost, insurance, and freight
landed price

As a final recourse, if domestic sources are exhausted, the NFA can directly import rice with the
explicit written concurrence and authorization from the Secretary of Agriculture, solely for the
purpose of stabilizing the national rice supply and maintaining optimal buffer stock. Priority shall
always be given to local production."

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the National Food
Authority (NFA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Department of
Budget and Management (DBM), and after consultation with directly affected stakeholders, shall
promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the portions or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in
full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules,
and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation