DA pushing for extension of RCEF

To enhance farm productivity and the agricultural sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering extending and enhancing the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told reporters that they are finalizing proposals to refine the RCEF under by the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

Tiu Laurel said the proposed changes are aimed at facilitating the modernization and enhancement of farm mechanization, fostering competitiveness among rice farmers.

The RTL was enacted to promote liberalization in the rice market by implementing import tariffs and allocating an annual budget through the RCEF.

Currently, the RCEF is allocated ₱10 billion per year for the next six years to support Filipino farmers.

This budget is distributed to smallscale rice farmers as financial assistance, which will continue to be available in the coming years.

“Definitely I think [the RTL] should be extended,” he said. “But of course, we need to make small adjustments so we can adapt to the times.”

Last year, a total of ₱29 billion in tariffs was collected. Tiu Laurel believes that the fund for farm inputs should be increased to bump rice recovery for every kilogram of palay by 15 percent.

“Only ₱10 billion goes to the RCEF… We should exceed this [budget] and invest more in harvest and mechanization,” the agriculture chief emphasized.

He added that the additional or extra funding can be used for fertilizer to boost farm production. Better domestic yields could solve the high import volumes, according to the DA secretary.

Nueva Ecija Representative Rosanna Vergara filed a bill to stretch out RCEF’S effectivity by six more years. Subsequently, Senator Cynthia Villar also supports this extension. (Gabriell Christel Galang)