After the passage of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law in 2019,

the National Food Authority experienced significant changes in the way it operates for
almost five decades.

As part of the on-going transition towards the limited role that the food agency will be
performing under the RTL, NFA top management headed by Administrator Judy Carol L. Dansal had
issued policies and directives during the National Planning Conference held in Nasugbu, Batangas last
October 21-23, 2019; setting the directions of the food agency for distribution, procurement and other
major activities for 2020.

Pursuant to the country’s national policy on agricultural modernization and

sustainable poverty reduction, the creation of the National Food Authority is one of the
most important policies of the Philippines. The two primary mandates of the NFA come
with the associated tasks of ensuring low and stable rice prices for rural farmers as an
approach for food security. While the objective is noble, there is a need to re-examine
the NFA to determine strategies and mechanisms to optimize its operation

According to Balicasan (2007), “Rice is considered a highly political commodity

such that an increase in its price can also prompt workers to demand for wage
increase.” Rice has a great impact on food security in the country, especially to those in
the marginalized sector of society, and it is imperative to maintain a stable rice price.

The NFA must continue to improve its relationship with its Stakeholders, these
are the farmers, the millers and traders, the importers and retailers, and more
importantly, the consumers, in order to build its capacity to implement and deliver its
programs on time and within the allotted budget.

In an interview with former Agrarian Reform Secretary John R. Castriciones in

2020, he mentioned that the average age of farmers is 57 years old, which poses a
threat to the sustainability of the food supply in the country. Hence it is recommended
that the National Food Authority, as the agency mandated to maintain a sufficient
supply of rice buffer stock to be used during emergencies and calamities, must include
in their activities the information education campaign to farmers