Reply to Sen. Gatchalian’s Claim DA Delays RTL Law Implementation “On The Contrary, Mr. Senator, the DA Actually Ensures Smooth Implementation”

There is no truth to the allegation by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is delaying the implementation of the Rice Tariffication and Liberalisation Law signed recently by President Rody Duterte.

The Rice Tariffication and Liberalisation Law has been signed and it will have to be implemented by all agencies and officials of government.

Contrary to the claim of Senator Gatchalian, the DA is in fact facilitating the conduct of nationwide information campaign and consultations to explain to the Rice Industry stakeholders what the Law is all about.

The consultations will start in Munoz, Nueva Ecija today and will move to three other areas all over the country within the week.

These consultations are needed in the formulation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) which are requirements before the Rice Tariffication Law could be effective.

This is a very clear provision in the Rice Tariffication and Liberalisation Law.

When the Agriculture Secretary was quoted as saying that the roll out of the law must not be rushed, he was reacting to statements by some members of the Economic Team that the RTL Law will be effective starting March 5.

How could the Law be implemented without an IRR? Doing that would not only create chaos but also open us to lawsuits.

This was precisely the reason why DA had to hastily organise the nationwide consultations because we do not like to run afoul of the law.

To clearly state, the DA and I, a supporter and friend of President Duterte, support the Law he has signed.

It has to be implemented effectively and we in government must ensure that there would be no problems encountered in its implementation.

Manny Piñol

Secretary of Agriculture