The controversial Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) — once pushed strongly by former Senator Cynthia Villar under the previous administration — is now on track for amendment after years of criticism from local farmers who said the measure has done more harm than good.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, announced that the committee has conducted its second hearing on the proposed amendments, emphasizing that the law has failed to uplift the country’s rice farmers.
“Kung patakaran at polisiya ang lupang tatamnan ng sektor ng agrikultura, malinaw na isang naging lason (at) hindi pataba ang naging epekto at resulta ng Rice Tariffication Law,” Pangilinan said in his opening statement.
During the hearing, Pangilinan revealed plans to form a technical working group (TWG) that will draft a committee report recommending changes to the law, which had significantly weakened the powers of the National Food Authority (NFA) and allowed excessive rice importation instead of strengthening domestic production.
“Sisiguraduhin natin na ang mga repormang isusulong ay tunay na tutugon sa kakulangan sa polisiya at magpapatatag sa ating mga institusyon,” he added.
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in September 2025, the average farmgate price of palay stood at ₱15.60 per kilo. However, several farmers’ groups reported earning as low as ₱8 per kilo, blaming the influx of imported rice for driving down local prices and crippling the local rice industry.
Pangilinan also flagged issues such as price manipulation, warehouse irregularities, and the loss of NFA’s authority to safeguard both farmers and consumers.
He threw his support behind Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in his push to overhaul the NFA through calibrated interventions, improved extension services, and modernization initiatives.
“So, yung dalawang E.O. na yun hopefully within the month, ay ma-i-issue na (at) tututukan natin ‘yan. Sa tulong ng mga katuwang sa pamahalaan, pribadong sektor, at mga magsasaka mismo, sama-sama nating itatag ang mga repormang magpapatibay sa kinabukasan ng agrikultura, pagsasaka, at kabuhayan ng bawat Pilipino,” Pangilinan said.
The senator underscored that the upcoming reforms are not just policy adjustments but a renewed commitment to restore fairness and sustainability in the country’s agricultural sector.