Area
Philippines
Commodity Group
Rice
Commodity
All
Date
05/04/2019
Policy Category
Production
Policy Instrument
Production support, stock-holding policy, government procurement
Description
Issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11203, which liberalized rice imports, among other measures. Effective 5 March 2019, the IRR repeals the regulatory powers previously held by the National Food Authority (NFA), including those related to the licensing, registration and supervision of structures or entities engaged in production, marketing, transport, storage or manufacture of rice and other grains, as well as the issuance of rules and regulations regarding their trade. The NFA Council is tasked with devising and disseminating the rules and regulations that will govern the NFA's acquisition, maintenance and release of rice buffer stocks, no later than 31 December 2019. Until then, 15-30 days worth of national rice consumption are to be considered the optimal level of rice reserves to be maintained, which the agency is to source solely from local purchases. Among other stipulations, the IRR tasks PHilMech, PhilRice, the Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Agricultural Training Institute and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority with formulating implementing guidelines for the interventions envisaged through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund in 60 days\' time. On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture is to take a lead in formulating the Rice Industry Roadmap, which with a host of other state entities and sector representatives, is to be adopted no later than 5 September 2019.
