Bill seeks creation of cereal agency

MANILA, Philippines - A proposed law will create a new cereal agency which will undertake research and development on prime agricultural products like rice, corn and wheat, ensuring the Philippines’ food security. House Bill 3737 seeks to establish the Philippine Cereals Research Development and Extension Institute (PhilCereal), which intends to give the cereal industry the specific assistance it needs. Representatives Henry Teves, Jocelyn Limkaichong and George Arnaiz, who authored the bill, said that creating such an agency is the only way the cereal industry can secure government support. They argued the country has fertile lands that can sufficiently produce agricultural products for the food supply of Filipinos. Arnaiz noted that among corn, wheat, sorghum and millet, only rice gets support from the government through the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). He said other cereals also need help and support from the government in terms of research, development and extension activities. Even rice, he said, does not get enough support from the PRRI. From P193 million in 1997, the annual budget of PhilRice fell to P162 million in 2007, Arnaiz said. The budget reduction was the result of a 1997 rule cutting support to government owned and controlled corporations by 10 percent, he added. Under the bill, PhilCereal will have a minimum annual operating subsidy of P200 million, shall be under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. It will fully work on research, development and extension activities for cereals in the country. - GMANews.TV