Senatorial candidate and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos urged the government to strengthen its support for local farmers by amending the current mandate of the National Food Authority (NFA) to stabilize the rice prices.
In a DZRH Dos Por Dos interview on Wednesday, Abalos expressed concern over the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law, passed in 2019, which removed the NFA’s authority to purchase rice from local farmers at competitive prices and sell it directly to the public.
“Ang rice tariffication kasi nung ginawa nung 2019 ang naging papel ng NFA noong araw ay bibili ng magandang presyo sa mga magsasaka at ibebenta sa publiko direkta,” he said.
“Pero simula nang maipasa ang rice tariffication tinanggal na po yang kapangyarihan na ‘yan ang papel na lamang ng NFA rice bibili sa magsasaka at ito ay iimbak o ibabuffer sa isang bodega. At ididistribute lamang kung meron calamity," Abalos affirmed.
He further said the need to restore its original regulatory powers to stabilize rice prices and ensure food security.
Abalos confirmed that the NFA's role currently is limited to stockpiling rice and releasing it during emergencies such as calamities or disaster, which caused spoilage, noting the risk of going to waste if not sold soon.
“Ang problema kamukha niyan na gagamitin lamang ito sa calamities sa bagyo, sa disaster, pero naimbak masyadong madami, kailangan talaga ibenta ito para hindi maspoil,” he emphasized.
Under existing laws, the NFA can only distribute buffer stocks within a 15- to 30-day window during emergencies, which he believes is inefficient and wasteful.
Abalos argued that giving the NFA the authority to buy rice from farmers at favorable rates and sell directly to consumers would benefit both producers and the public.
"Kung kaya’t ang magandang i-amyenda nito, pabilhin mo ng magandang presyo sa farmers. Dapat bigyan ulit ng kapangyarihan ang NFA kaagad direkta ng ibenta ang mga bigas sa publiko para umiikot ang pera," Abalos believed.
He further said that he consulted Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Laurel, who agreed with his proposal.
"Kung kaya’t ang magandang i-amyenda nito, pabili mo ng magandang presyo sa farmers dapat bigyan ulit ng kapangyarihan ang NFA kaagad direkta ng ibenta ang mga bigas sa publiko para umiikot ang pera so ito ang dapat amyendahan na napag-usapan namin kahapon," he said during his visit in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, discussing with the farmers the effect of the Rice Tariffication Law and the challenges they currently facing, yesterday, April 9.
Land conversion
Abalos also expressed concern over the continued conversion of agricultural lands into residential subdivision sites and commercial developments.
He underscored the urgency of passing the National Land Use Act to properly identify and protect agricultural zones and to channel appropriate infrastructure investments into these areas.
"Sa totoo lang dito tayo matakot kung tuloy-tuloy ito at ang atin mga sakahan ay maging subdivision nakakatakot ‘yan,” Abalos pointed out.
Dahil dapat talaga bigyan ng prioridad ‘yan at insentibo ang ating mga magsasaka at bigyan talaga ng suporta kasi kung mangyayaring magbebenta na lang ng lupa ‘yan puro imported na ang kakainin natin,” he added.
“Wala na tayong food security at self-sufficiency," he continues to push for the passage of the Land Use Act.
Abalos advocated for improved road networks, irrigation systems, and drying facilities to boost productivity and safeguard the country’s food supply.
