To hasten efforts in lowering rice prices and easing the financial burden on Filipino consumers, Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga—one of the chairmen of the House Murang Pagkain Supercommittee (Quinta Comm)—on Sunday said the panel is intensifying initiatives to make food more affordable.
Enverga—chair of the House committee on agriculture—cited the urgency of a legislative measure, emphasizing the panel’s commitment to keep food prices, particularly rice, more stable and reasonable for both the producers and consumers.
“We all know that the high cost of rice is a burden to each and every Filipino. That is why we will not stop to lower its prices to the best of our effort,” he said.
Formed under House Resolution No. 254 by Speaker Martin Romualdez, the Quinta Comm brings together five key legislative panels—ways and means, trade and industry, agriculture and food, social services, and special committee on food security—to curb agriculture and market-related issues.
Enverga acknowledged the progress made but stressed that more work remains. He noted the relief provided by the government to sell National Food Authority (NFA) rice at P35 per kilo for consumers. However, the committee aims to push prices even lower.
Citing reports that NFA rice is now available in Metro Manila at P33 to P35 per kilo, Enverga said government interventions are yielding results.
He, however, warned that long-term affordability requires addressing structural inefficiencies in the rice market, particularly the dominance of cartels and price manipulation by certain traders.
Enverga credited Republic Act No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, signed in September 2024, as a game-changer. He urged law enforcers to swiftly develop and implement a framework to dismantle cartels and prevent price-fixing.
He cited the need to enhance market competition by allowing more players in the rice importation sector.
To prevent traders from inflating prices and profiting at consumers’ expense, Enverga urged the Department of Trade and Industry to establish a Suggested Retail Price formula for rice, similar to other essential commodities.
He assured the Quinta Comm will not allow reliance on importation, stressing that boosting domestic rice production is key to long-term food security.
Enverga reaffirmed the panel’s commitment to implementing reforms that will create a sustainable and equitable rice market, benefiting both consumers and local producers.
