‘Rice Tarrification Law is not useless’—DA-CAR RTDO Danilo Daguio

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Amid growing concerns of rice farmers in the country over the effects of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to their livelihoods, an official from the Department of Agriculture Cordillera has defended the measure, saying the law is not useless despite its lapses.

Enacted in 2019 with former Senator Cynthia Villar as the principal author, the Rice Tarrification Law removed restrictions on rice importation, allowing private traders to import rice freely but with tariffs. These tariffs are meant to fund programs that will help local farmers become more competitive, particularly through farm mechanization and other support programs. 

However, many farmers and those in the agri-sector are complaining because the law has caused a drop in local palay prices and made it harder for small farmers in the country to compete with imported rice. Hence, they say the law is useless.

This claim was addressed by Department of Agriculture Cordillera Regional Technical Director for Operations Dr. Danilo P. Daguio during the turnover of various farm machinery to Cordillera farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) on October 10, explaining why he believes that RTL still serves its purpose despite the criticisms. 

In his talk, Daguio explained that the RTL was enacted after the Philippines, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was obliged to open its market for rice trade. 

Despite the importation, said Daguio, it still protects local farmers, as the revenues from rice tariffs are used to support them. As he explained, the target of the law is to collect around P10 billion every year from import tariffs. Of which, half of that, or P5 billion, goes to farm machinery and equipment, which is now being given to the farmers across the country. 

“...being in the Department of Agriculture since the beginning of the implementation of this RTL, sa tingin ko naman ay maraming naitulong sa mga farmers. It's not a totally useless or walang silbi na program…Ti kunkukuna da na dayta nga RTL nga natake effect edi 2019, dagiti maurnong nga kuwarta ti importation or “tarrif” ket agsubli wenno mausar nga mapan kadagiti rice farmers. Ket ti target idiay nga law nga makacollect ket 10 billion every year nga apan kadagiti farmers. Out of the 10 billion, 5 billion, or 50% of that ket mapan ti farm machineries and equipment… Isu dagitoy mait-ited,” said Daguio. 

Nevertheless, despite his defense, the DA officer acknowledged that it is not perfect, as lapses were identified over the years. That’s why, according to him, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. amended the RTL in 2024 to raise the amount being allotted for farm machinery to P9 billion. 

If there’s extra collection, added Daguio, it will also be used as “Ayuda,” or aid to farmers. 

“Tatan, haan met nga perfect didjay apo. Ada nakita da nga lapses dayta nga law. Isu inammender da di nagtagaw ni Marocs Jr.. Di naammendaren dayta nga law, haan langen nga 5 billion en, 9 billion nen didjay mapan ti rice farmers tayo. Kunana pay diay linteg nga nu ada extra collection, ket mausar or ited na kadagitoy metlng farmers in terms of ayuda,” he added. 

Concluding his explanation, Daguio emphasized that while challenges remain for the farmers, the DA remains open to listening to their sentiments and is committed to finding ways to help them.