Villar backs liberalization of rice importation

CEBU, Philippines — Senator Cynthia Villar supports the liberalization of rice importation saying that this will usher in cheaper commercial rice in the market as well as curb rice smuggling.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte earlier ordered the full liberalization of rice importation in a bid to reduce the impact of inflation in the country.

Villar, who was in Cebu last week to grace the Third Philippine Seaweed Congress, said that this will also compel rice importers to pay the right taxes and duties.

The lady senator, who also sits as Senate chairman on the committee on food and agriculture, said that the government will also be doing tarrification as one way of protecting the local rice farmers.

"The proceeds of the tariff will go to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund  amounting to P10 billion a year intended for the rice farmers so that they can mechanized, they can improved their seeds, trainings and credits for the farmers in 57 provinces in the country in order to compete with Vietnam," said Villar.

Villar added that the Department of Finance is duty-bound to implement it under the National Single Window System to curb rice smuggling.

Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. earlier said that the order is expected to increase the supply of rice in the country, which would consequently lower its prices in the local markets.

"The decision to liberalize for all intents and purposes the importation of rice was really the ultimate means by which to rein in inflation in as far as food items are concerned,” Roque said.

With the President’s directive, Roque said there would no longer be any restrictions in the importation of rice apart from the needed import permit and tariff requirement, which in turn would be used to provide support to local rice farmers.

The President’s decision to liberalize rice importation also eliminates the National Food Authority’s power to accredit importers and to determine how much rice should be imported. (FREEMAN)