NOV.

17, 2013

NR # 3290

National rice reserves for national emergency pushed

A lawmaker has filed a measure providing for national rice reserves to ensure the country will have enough rice supply in times of calamities. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de ro! said "ouse #ill 2$%&, to 'e known as (mergency Rice Reserves Act of 2)&%, re*uires the +ational ,ood Authority (+,A! to maintain and manage a government rice reserve e*uivalent to fifteen days of the national rice consumption for the current year. Rodriguez stressed the need for the immediate passage of the measure saying, -Rice is the staple food of every ,ilipino and is at the core of the country.s agriculture development thrust./ -0t is declared the policy of the 1tate to ensure an ade*uate supply of rice at reasona'le and afforda'le price for the people especially in times of calamities,/ Rodriguez said. 2he 'ill defines calamities as fortuitous events, which include acts of 3od such as typhoons, floods, droughts, earth*uakes, fires, volcanic eruptions, lahar flows, and acts of man such as political and or civil distur'ances, and widespread civil unrest. 4nder the measure, the +,A shall determine the location and distri'ution of stocks into depots nationwide and procure stock from small farmers and farmers. cooperatives. 2he +,A shall 'e allowed to import rice only under a'normal conditions determined through consultation with all affected sectors unless directed 'y the 5resident. 0f all or part of the initial reserve is imported, +,A will have the option to release the stocks at a price that will allow it to procure locally its e*uivalent volume in palay form to maintain the fifteen day rice reserve. 2he measure, co6authored 'y Rep. 7a8imo Rodriguez, 9r. (5arty :ist, A#A70+!, also mandates the +,A to release to the market the rice reserve only upon the recommendation of the 1ecretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA! and the declaration of a state of calamity 'y the 5resident. 2he released price of the rice shall 'e 'ased on the prevailing market price immediately prior to the occurrence of the calamity. 2he +,A shall regularly review and assess the national palay and rice situation and, on the 'ases of the data collected, prepare a report to the ffice of the 5resident and to the Committees on Agriculture of 'oth cham'ers of Congress. 2he +,A shall ensure that rice stocks are refilled in accordance with the provisions of this proposed Act. (%)! jsc