Only DA should be allowed to import rice – Tulfo

MANILA, Philippines — Erwin Tulfo, deputy majority leader of the House of Representatives and ACT-CIS party representative, said only the Department of Agriculture (DA) is allowed to import rice because the price of imported grain has not fallen.

“The president has lowered the tariff on imported rice, but the market price is still at 50 to 60 euros per kilo,” he said. “Don’t tell me that the reduction in rates has had no effect. Where did the savings from the lower rates go? The people should benefit from this,” he added.

Tulfo said officials had to take action because it appeared only importers were benefiting from the lower tariff.

He said he and fellow ACT-CIS Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo plan to introduce a bill that will allow the DA to rice import from other countries.

Under the proposal, rice imported by the DA from other countries should be sold in the Philippines at the same price at which it was purchased.

“Since the DA is not allowed to sell rice, we will include in the measure a proposal to allow rice retailers to apply for a license to operate Kadiwa centers. If the DA can already import regularly, businessmen already have a competitor. ..so they will be forced to lower their prices,” Tulfo said.

The proposed bill will also ban the DA from issuing import permits during the harvest season to protect local farmers.