Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 3170
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT MANDATING THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH RICE 
DRYING FACILITIES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines, despite its vast agricultural land and a significant portion of its 
population engaged in farming, continues to face challenges in ensuring national food security 
and improving the welfare of its farmers. A major contributing factor to this issue is the 
substantial post-harvest losses that occur, particularly for rice, our country's primary staple. 
These losses are often a result of inadequate and outdated post-harvest facilities, especially 
during the critical drying phase. 
When rice is not dried properly, it is susceptible to spoilage, which significantly 
diminishes its quality and market value. This directly translates to reduced income for our 
hardworking farmers, who are already grappling with rising production costs and fluctuating 
market prices. The current reliance on traditional, sun-drying methods exposes crops to the 
elements, leading to moisture inconsistencies, contamination, and spoilage, especially during the 
rainy season. 
While the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and its accompanying Rice Competitiveness 
Enhancement Fund (RCEF) were designed to improve the competitiveness of Filipino farmers, a 
significant gap remains. The lack of sufficient rice drying facilities has left many farmers unable 
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to meet the required moisture content for their harvest. This often forces them to sell their palay 
at very low prices to local traders, undermining the very goals of the RTL and the RCEF. 
In light of these challenges, this bill, titled the "Rice Drying Facilities Act," seeks to 
institutionalize a concrete solution by mandating the National Food Authority (NFA) to establish 
and operate modern rice drying facilities in all rice-producing municipalities and cities across the 
country. These facilities are intended to provide a reliable and efficient alternative to traditional 
drying methods, thereby minimizing post-harvest losses, improving the quality of locally 
produced rice, and ultimately increasing the income of Filipino farmers. 
The bill also ensures that these facilities will be free for all rice farmers, particularly 
small-scale farmers, and that technical assistance and training on proper rice drying techniques 
will be provided. By doing so, the government can directly support farmers and equip them with 
the tools and knowledge necessary to produce high-quality rice that can compete effectively in 
the market. This initiative is a vital step towards achieving a more resilient and profitable 
agricultural sector, which is the cornerstone of a food-secure nation. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 3170 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT MANDATING THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH RICE 
DRYING FACILITIES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Rice Drying Facilities Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote and ensure the 
development of the country's agricultural sector. Towards this end, the State shall provide the 
necessary infrastructure and support services to improve agricultural productivity and increase 
the income of Filipino farmers. 
SECTION 3. Establishment of Rice Drying Facilities. — The National Food Authority (NFA), 
in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Agrarian 
Reform (DAR), shall establish and operate rice drying facilities in all rice-producing 
municipalities and cities in the country. The facilities shall be strategically located and easily 
accessible to rice farmers. 
SECTION 4. Assistance to Farmers. — The NFA shall provide free access to the rice drying 
facilities for all rice farmers, especially small-scale farmers. The NFA shall also provide 
technical assistance and training to farmers on proper rice drying techniques to minimize 
post-harvest losses and improve the quality of their produce. 


SECTION 5. Appropriation. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the NFA, the DA, and the DAR. Thereafter, the 
amount needed for the continued implementation shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The NFA, in coordination with the DA 
and the DAR, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions 
of this Act within sixty (60) days from its effectivity. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, 
the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and 
subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List