A party-list lawmaker has expressed full support for House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s push to make P20-per-kilo rice permanently available to Filipinos.
Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee said the proposal aligns with House Bill No. 9020 or the “Cheaper Rice Act,” which aims to make affordable rice sustainable while providing stronger support to local farmers.
Lee emphasized that increasing farmer income through higher palay buying prices—between P5 to P10 above market rates—would encourage production and eventually bring down rice prices for consumers.
In addition to HB 9020, Lee is also pushing for more post-harvest facilities, stronger market linkages, and more Kadiwa centers nationwide through separate legislative measures.
The Bicolano legislator, a strong food security advocate, has also authored key laws including the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, and the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.
