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MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. boldly pronounced before the Senate on Wednesday how the Rice Tariffication Law  deprives the country’s rice industry of reforms and instead “threatens to kill it.”

Speaking at the chamber’s panel on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform’s hearing, Laurel said the government does not only lack resources but also legal tools to truly transform the Philippine’s agriculture sector.Tiu Laurel believes that it is high time that the government revisit, amend, and where necessary replace laws that “no longer serve” farmers and consumers alike.

“Foremost among these is the Rice Tariffication Law. Though crafted with noble goals, I have to admit, it has faltered. But fully liberalizing rice imports, it unintentionally undermined the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority — stripping us of the ability to intervene and protect this most vital of commodities,” he said.

“As currently written, the Rice Tariffication Law does not reform the rice industry — it threatens to kill it,” he pointed out.

The Rice Tariffication Law was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte into law in 2019.

The measure specifically created the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund which sought to improve the competitiveness of rice farmers and increase their income amidst liberalization of the Philippine rice trade policy.

Apart from this, the agriculture chief said the Local Government Code also needs to be revisited and amended.

He explained that this measure “took from the Department of Agriculture the very foot soldiers” that they need to win “against hunger.”

He was pertaining to the agency’s agricultural extension workers.

“Without them, the Department of Agriculture is just an office full of officers like Generals, Colonels, or Majors without soldiers on the ground to fully implement its plans and vision for an agri-secure Philippines,” Tiu Laurel said.

Prior to this, he noted that under his leadership, the Department of Agriculture has taken bold steps to undo the so-called legacy of neglect that has stunted the Philippines’ agriculture sector.

But while reforms have been made, Tiu Laurel admitted that the road ahead remains long and steep.

“Our ambitions demand nothing less than sustained efforts and greater commitment from the government and all stakeholders,” he said. 

Source : msn