MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has pushed for the return of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) powers to regulate, trade, and import rice, while calling for stricter safeguards to prevent abuse, ensure accountability, and protect both farmers and consumers.

During the second public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, said that restoring the NFA’s powers without proper checks and balances would be counterproductive.

“Lagi ko itong sinasabi: Kumuha na lang tayo ng bato, pukpok natin sa ulo natin dahil sakit lang ng ulo ang mangyayari kapag ibabalik sa inyo nang walang safeguards yung kapangyarihan,” he told the NFA during the hearing.

Pangilinan outlined two key safeguards in his proposed amendments to the RTL: the establishment of a citizens participatory audit involving the private sector, farmers’ organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability; and the requirement of an approved budget for rice importation contracts to prevent overpriced or irregular transactions.

The senator recalled that when he served as food security czar under the Aquino administration, he rejected four offers of overpriced imported rice, saving the government ₱7 billion.

Addressing the NFA, Pangilinan emphasized that the agency should use its influence as a major buyer in the international rice market. He said that through prudent negotiation and fiscal discipline, the NFA can reject any import offers that exceed its approved budget, ensuring that every transaction safeguards public funds and maintains market integrity.

He also urged the NFA to implement measures for the proper storage of aging rice stock in its warehouses and raised concern over reports from Isabela province that the agency was purchasing from traders instead of directly from farmers.

“Kailangan lang maging masinop kayo doon sa pagbabantay ng mga ganitong klaseng intervention,” Pangilinan said.

“Kaya nga importante na kapag binigyan ulit kayo ng kapangyarihan, maliwanag yung accountability, maliwanag may transparency, at maliwanag may citizens participation para mag-behave itong mga magtatangkang abusuhin yung kapangyarihang muling ibinalik,” he added.

The hearing marked a step forward in Pangilinan’s effort to amend the RTL, which he said has weakened the local rice industry by allowing an influx of imported rice instead of supporting local farmers and reducing rice prices in the domestic market.