32% of P10 billion RCEF utilized: agri dep’t

October 22, 2019

Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Tuesday said 32 percent of the P10 billion budget have been set aside for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which will help farmers. 

"There are activity or part of the component that have undergone process and budget has been allotted to obliged to support the activity," said Dar in a press conference. 

Dar added they are expecting to fully distribute the P 10 billion before the year ends. 

"On or before December 2019, it will be obligated to 100 percent," he said. 

The Department of Agriculture, under the Rice Tariffication Law or Republic Act 11203, has an annual budget of P10  billion for the next six years were allotted for the RCEF. 

Five billion pesos will be used for the procurement and distribution of machinery, P3 billion for inbred seeds, P1 billion will be distributed between the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and P1 billion  for extension programs. 

Philrice RCEF Program Director Flordeliza Bordey said the program intends to benefit farmers and not decrease farm gate prices. 

"The RCEF program's design is to increase yield of the farmers and lessen their expenses so that even though the harvested unhusked rice is bought at a lower price, they will still have earnings," Bordey said. 

Bordey added that Philrice is set to distribute 2.12 million bags of inbred seeds which is expected to cover about 1.06 million hectares to 57 provinces for the dry season.

"By November we are expecting that about 80 percent of our seeds are already distributed," she reiterated. 

The Department of Agriculture added if the rice importation will have a generated annual tariff that will exceed P10 billion, excess revenues will be earmarked by the Congress for rice farmer financial assistance; titling of agricultural lands; expanded crop insurance program; and crop diversification program. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS