IKOT.PH
As Isabela rice farmers struggle with the twin effects of the Rice Tariffication Law and the COVID-19 pandemic, an Isabela-based cooperative avoided bankruptcy and even posted higher earnings due to the direct buying of rice by local government units (LGUs). In an online consultation with farmers in Isabela, Senator Kiko Pangilinan recognized the efforts of […]
The local government units of Tarangnan, Samar, and Carigara, Leyte are encouraging their respective residents to participate in a program to collect solid waste and have these exchanged for food items. In Tarangnan town, Mayor Arnel Tan said that residents are entitled to 2 kilograms of rice and several canned goods for every kilo of shredded […]
Some learners in Negros Occidental are receiving incentives, such as rice and vegetables, for completing their self-learning modules (SLMs), a way to ensure that they are nourished while “going to school” amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In northern Negros, the Sagay City Eco-Zone National High School has initiated an innovative program called “Module Mo, […]
Direct government purchase of rice and other agricultural produce should be the template for new normal in agriculture, said Senator Kiko Pangilinan. This is following the success story of the Camarines Sur Multi-Purpose Cooperative that reported, during the pandemic, an almost nine-fold increase in year-on-year sales from 2019 to 2020 due to the direct purchase of […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is supporting the “BigMa” (Bigas-Mais) rice-corn blending initiative of listed firm AgriNurture, Inc. (ANI) and groups of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Mindanao to devote vast tracts of idle land for planting white corn as an alternative to reduce dependence on imported rice. In a virtual press conference, Agriculture Secretary William […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has extended the imposition of the suggested retail price (SRP) for basic agriculture and fishery products to protect consumers against price irregularities in local markets amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon. In a new administrative circular signed by Agriculture Secretary William Dar, a price freeze for rice and other […]
During the press conference updating the public on the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez lauded the “game-changing” measure for bringing down retail prices of regular milled rice and well-milled rice to a seven-year low since the start of its implementation last March 5, 2019.“From the DTI perspective, we are always after the […]
The government was able to raise P14 billion from tariffs on rice imports during the first year of the implementation of the rice tariffication law (RTL). During the RTL’s anniversary celebration in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, Department of Finance (DOF) Executive Assistant Renzo Enrico Blanco said the government collected P12.31 billion in 2019, and P1.71 billion […]
Senator Cynthia Villar has welcomed the approval on third reading of the joint resolution directing government agencies to purchase the rice needs of the 4.1 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from local farmers. With a unanimous vote of 21, senators voted to adopt Joint Resolution No. 8, which authorizes the use […]
House Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero called on the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Finance to use the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law to directly disburse cash to farmers who are reeling from low palay prices. Romero said the Rice Tariffication Law or Republic Act 11203 does not have provisions for […]