Sen. Risa Hontiveros, during Thursday’s hearing, July 4, 2024, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing funding for inbred rice seeds in the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
The hearing, presided by Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, dwells on rice policy reforms, particularly on amending the Rice Tariffication Law and extending the life of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
"Maybe the committee can push our debates for the 2025 national budget in a few months to reflect the prioritization of the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Rice Research Institute’s spending on inbred seeds,”
Hontiveros said in Filipino during the discussion on inbred, local hybrid, and imported hybrid seeds. The Senate hearing came two days after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved the Department of Budget and Management's 2025 NEP on July 2 during a cabinet meeting in Malacañang. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
Kommentare