Senate approves on 2nd reading reso to use 4Ps rice subsidy program to buy farmers’ palay

The Senate approved on second reading Wednesday a joint resolution authorizing the use of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program's rice subsidy program (4Ps) to buy palay from farmers.

The joint resolution, sponsored by Senator Cynthia Villar, mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development and encourages selected local government units to buy palay from the local farmers and distribute the actual rice instead of cash assistance to qualified 4Ps beneficiaries.

Under the joint resolution, authorized to buy palay are the local governments of Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Tarlac, Nueva Viscaya, and Iloilo.

It stated that despite efforts made by the government to protect the local rice industry, large stocks of imported rice have depressed the buying price of local palay to levels way below the cost of production.

It added that under the 2019 budget, a total of 33.9 billion was allocated to rice subsidies, the largest of which—around P28.5 billion—is given to the beneficiaries of 4Ps. The 4Ps grants its beneficiaries a rice subsidy in the form of P600 cash assistance per month which is equivalent to 20 kilos of rice, aside from the P300 monthly financial assistance.

During the period of interpellation, Senator Bong Go said he has personally asked President Rodrigo Duterte to certify the joint resolution as urgent.

“Nilapitan po ako nina Senator Imee Marcos at Senator Cynthia Villar upang magsilbing tulay patungo kay President Rodrigo Duterte. Hangad nilang ma-certify as urgent ng Pangulo ang joint resolution na ito. Hiniling ko na po ang aksyong ito sa ating Pangulo, at nangako siyang gagawin ito kapag naisumite na sa kaniya ang committee report,” Go said.

Once approved in the Senate, the joint resolution will be forwarded to the House of Representatives, which will pass a similar measure. — BM, GMA News