Palace confident rice tarrification bill will proceed smoothly

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday expressed optimism that the rice tariffication bill would have a smooth sailing in the bicameral conference committee after the Senate approved its version of the measure. 

The bill, which aims to replace the quantitative import restrictions on rice with tariffs, was approved on third and final reading by the Senate last Wednesday. 

The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill last August. 

A bicameral conference committee will have to reconcile the two versions before the bill is ratified and sent to President Duterte for his signature. 

"The Palace expresses its gratitude to the Senate for passing on third and final reading the rice tariffication bill," presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. 

"We remain optimistic that the bill would also run smoothly during the bicameral conference committee deliberations by both houses of Congress," he added. 

Panelo said the administration is confident that the measure, once enacted into law, would protect the rice industry from sudden price fluctuations and ease the burden of consumers from soaring prices.

Duterte has certified the passage of the bill as urgent, citing the need to ensure  the availability of rice in the country to reduce prices, prevent artificial rice shortage and curb corruption and cartels.

House agriculture committee chairman and ANAC-IP party-list Rep. Jose Panganiban Jr. previously said the rice tarrification bill would generate P20 billion in tariffs every year that could subsidize the country's rice farmers.