Agri chief wants NFA regulatory powers back, Villar opposes

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is advocating for the restoration of regulatory powers to the National Food Authority (NFA) to better manage rice supply and prices.

He noted that the House of Representatives' version of the revised Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) included provisions to restore these powers, but these were rejected by the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

Senator Cynthia Villar, however, opposes the move, citing the NFA's past inefficiencies, importation failures, and minimal impact on market prices.

Villar also highlighted that the NFA's rice distribution historically failed to reach intended beneficiaries effectively.

The new article clarifies that under the current RTL, the NFA is primarily a buffer-stocking agency, limited to procuring palay from local farmers and releasing aged stocks through auction or during emergencies.

NFA administrator Larry Lacson warned that failed auctions could lead to spoilage of rice stocks.

He also pointed out that palay requires milling within about six months if it begins to age.