In a bid to accelerate efforts to reduce rice prices and ease the financial burden on Filipino consumers, Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, chairman of the House Murang Pagkain Supercommittee (Quinta Comm), announced on Sunday that the panel is intensifying initiatives to drive down costs and ensure affordable rice for all households.
Enverga, who also heads the House Committee on Agriculture, underscored the urgency of these measures, emphasizing that the government remains committed to stabilizing rice prices.
“Alam natin na ang mataas na presyo ng bigas ay malaking pasanin sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Kaya’t hindi tayo titigil hangga’t hindi natin napapababa ang presyo nito at natitiyak na abot-kaya ito ng lahat,” Enverga declared.
Strengthening Government Interventions
Formed under House Resolution No. 254, authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Quinta Comm integrates five key legislative panels—Ways and Means, Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Food, Social Services, and the Special Committee on Food Security—to combat smuggling, hoarding, price manipulation, and hunger.
Enverga acknowledged that while the government’s P35-per-kilo National Food Authority (NFA) rice initiative has brought some relief, the committee aims to push prices even lower. Reports indicate that NFA rice is now available in Metro Manila at P33 to P35 per kilo, reflecting positive outcomes from government intervention. However, long-term affordability requires addressing market inefficiencies, cartel dominance, and price manipulation by traders.
Stronger Laws Against Rice Cartels
The lawmaker cited Republic Act No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, signed in September 2024, as a game-changer. This law grants the government stronger legal tools to crack down on hoarding, price manipulation, and cartel activities, imposing life imprisonment and hefty fines on violators.
“Malinaw ang mensahe ng batas na ito: Hindi na natin palalampasin ang mga mapagsamantalang negosyante na nagpapahirap sa ating mga magsasaka at konsyumer,” Enverga warned, urging the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group to swiftly dismantle cartels.
Enhancing Market Competition and Transparency
Enverga also pushed for greater competition in the rice importation sector to prevent price manipulation. Despite the global decline in rice prices and the reduction of import tariffs under Executive Order No. 62—which lowered duties from 35% to 15% in July 2024—local prices have not dropped as expected.
“Bumaba na ang presyo ng bigas sa pandaigdigang merkado, binawasan na rin ang taripa, pero mataas pa rin ang presyo dito sa atin. Kailangan nating tiyakin na ang mga benepisyong ito ay nararamdaman ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
To address this, he called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to implement a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) system for rice, similar to other essential commodities. Under this system, importers would be required to display the SRP on packaging, while the Bureau of Customs would assess tariffs based on declared purchase costs, wholesale prices, and SRP.
“Kapag may malinaw na SRP, hindi basta-basta mapapatungan ang presyo ng bigas. Kailangan nating tiyakin na ang presyo ay patas—mula sa pag-angkat hanggang sa pamilihan,” he emphasized.
Balancing Affordability and Local Production
While acknowledging the need for rice importation to address immediate supply gaps, Enverga stressed that the long-term goal must be self-sufficiency. He echoed Speaker Romualdez’s stance that lowering rice prices must go hand in hand with strengthening local production.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the average farmgate price of dry palay was P20.69 per kilo in January 2025, slightly lower than the previous month but still 17.69% higher than the P17.58 per kilo average in June 2022, the last month of the Duterte administration.
Enverga noted that these price movements reflect the government’s balanced approach—ensuring that while rice remains affordable for consumers, farmers are not placed at a disadvantage.
“Importante na may agarang solusyon, pero hindi natin pwedeng gawing habambuhay na sagot ang pag-angkat ng bigas. Kailangan nating tiyakin na habang pinapababa natin ang presyo para sa konsyumer, pinapalakas din natin ang produksyon ng lokal na palay. Hindi pwedeng isa lang ang makinabang—dapat sabay-sabay tayong umaangat,” he explained.
Long-Term Commitment to Affordable Rice
Enverga reaffirmed Quinta Comm’s commitment to implementing sustainable and equitable reforms in the rice market, ensuring that both consumers and local producers benefit.
“Ang laban para sa murang bigas ay hindi natatapos sa pagbaba ng presyo ngayon. Kailangan nating tiyakin na magtatagal ang mga solusyong ito. Dapat sigurado tayo na ang mga hakbang na ginagawa natin ngayon ay pangmatagalan—hindi lang para sa eleksyon, kundi para sa kinabukasan ng bansa,” he said.
As rice prices continue to adjust, Quinta Comm will remain vigilant in enforcing fair pricing, monitoring supply chains, and supporting Filipino farmers.
“Sa dulo ng lahat ng ito, dapat siguruhin natin na may pagkain sa bawat mesa ng ating mga kababayan,” he concluded.