Rep. Lee Backs Speaker Romualdez’s Push to Institutionalize P20/kg Rice Price

AGRI Party-list Representative Wibert “Manoy” Lee has expressed strong support for House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s initiative to make the P20 per kilo rice price sustainable, aligning with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s vision of affordable rice and strengthened agricultural support.

Romualdez recently met with Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. and Undersecretary Alvin John Balagbag, where he committed to personally sponsoring legislative measures to institutionalize the president’s food security agenda.

“We fully support Speaker Martin Romualdez’s push to permanently establish P20 per kilo rice for all Filipinos. This is exactly what we are advocating through House Bill No. 9020 or the ‘Cheaper Rice Act,’” Lee said in a media interview at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

“As we always say: support for agriculture is support for the masses. If we provide complete and adequate support to our farmers, we can secure their income, encourage higher production, increase supply, and ultimately lower rice prices in the market,” he added.

Under HB 9020, Lee proposes that the DA and other government agencies buy local palay (unmilled rice) at rates P5 to P10 higher than the prevailing farmgate prices. This aims to boost farmers’ income and eventually lead to lower retail prices of rice for consumers.

To further bolster the “Cheaper Rice Act,” Lee is also advocating for expanded post-harvest facilities, improved market linkages, and the nationwide establishment of more Kadiwa centers via HB 3958 and HB 3957.

A staunch advocate of food security, Lee has consistently pushed for laws aimed at reducing food costs while protecting the livelihoods of Filipino farmers and food producers.

Among the key laws principally authored by Lee are Republic Act No. 12022 or the “Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act,” RA No. 11953 or the “New Agrarian Emancipation Act,” and RA No. 11985 or the “Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.”

Lee also urged the DA to streamline its distribution processes for farm equipment and services to ensure that farmers and fisherfolk quickly benefit from government support.

“It would be a huge help if the DA simplifies its requirements. Instead of a long and complicated process, let’s fast-track the delivery of pre- and post-harvest support so that our farmers and fisherfolk can immediately make use of these essential services,” Lee emphasized.