FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
* 1 . % ) l )  
OF THE E"ILII"P1NES 
) 
-7 
JJL 
-4 
I L I 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to allow farmer organizations to import rice into the country so 
that the funds for this purpose of the National Food Authority be utilized to purchase 
locally produced palay or engage only in importation for purposes of maintaining food 
security. 
Rice is the staple food of 85 per cent of Filipinos, thus a stable supply, and 
acceptable quality, continued availability, and a reasonable price of this commodity 
constitutes food security for every Filipino. 
The National Food Authority is the government agency tasked to ensure food 
security, and consequently, stabilize rice supply and prices. One of the ways by which 
NFA fulfills this mandate is by resorting to rice importation. Because of this, farmers 
become susceptible to lower income for their palay yield as they have to compete with 
imported rice which is sold at lower prices. 
While food security is the primordial concern cf the governmqt, and because 
farmers may not always meet the food requirements of the nation, there is a need to 
reconcile the need to maintain food security and the need for farmers to earn a living. 
This bill aims to remedy that situation by allowing farmer organizations to 
import rice in the country. This way, farmers shall also gain training and expertise in 
international trade in anticipation of the lifting of restrictions on importation of 
agriculture products under the World Trade Organization-General Agreement on 
Tariffs and trade. This proposed measure likewise requires the National Food Authority 
to prioritize the purchase locally produced palay, when available, in utilizing its funds. 
In view of the foregsing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
__-- 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
I_ 
OF THE PHILIPHPINES 
) 
) J& -4 
i'% :y 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
AUI'HORIZING FARMER ORGANIZATIONS TO UNDERTAKE RICE 
IMPOmndN, PROVIDING FUND ASSISTANCE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSE 
w 
Be it enacted by Senate and the House of Representative of the 
Philippines in Congress Assembled: 
Section 1. Declaration of policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State: 
1.1 The State recognizes the need for our country to attain food 
security. To this end as long we are will quantitative restriction, it shall 
authorize farmer organization to import rice in the country and at the 
same time require the National Food Authority to prioritize the purchase 
locally produced palay, when available, in utilizing its funds. 
1.2. The State recognizes the need for farmers' organizations to gain 
training and expertise in international trade in anticipation of the lifting of 
restrictions on importation of agriculture products under the World Trade 
Organization-General Agreement on Tariffs and trade. 
1.3. The State believes that the funds of the NationaI Food 
Authority (NFA) shall be use for our own farmers especially those that 
need NFA service the most e.g. upland farmers, areas of less post harvest 
facilities, etc. provide significant impact to local farmers. 
SEC. 2. Administration - The National government through the National 
Food Authority or an agency designated by the President of by the Philippines 
shall: 
2.1. 
implementing rules and conditions for the rice importation; 
2.2. 
authorized farmer organizations only. 
2.3. fund allocated by NFA for its rice procurement shall be utilized in 
the purchase of locally produced palay and imported rice for the 
maintenance of its rice reserve requirements. 
determine the volume to be imported for this purpose, I issue the 
give authority to import rice and transfer such authority to 


2.4. 
importing farmers organization based on market requirements. 
2.5. keep an inventory of rice and grain supplies for 90 days. 
SEC. 3. Detel'mination of Authorized of Farmer Organization - Farmer 
Organization shall be accredited and certified by the National Food Authority 
and the Cooperative Development Authority based on a guideline to be issued 
for this purpose. 
determine the rice quality to be imported in consultation with 
The NFA will play a catalytic and supportive role recognizing the 
autonomy and independence of the internal affairs of the farmers organization. 
For this purpose, farmer organization shall refer to association whose 
majority owners are palay farmers. 
SEC. 4. Monitoring - The Department of Agriculture shall oversee the 
national palay rice situation to determine the amount of rice importation. 
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The NFA in consultation 
with concerned sector shaIl issue the implementing rules and regulation within 
thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
after it's complete publication in at least (2) publications of general circulation. 
Approved,