REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11203
AN ACT LIBERALIZING THE IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION AND TRADING OF RICE, LIFTING FOR THE PURPOSE THE QUANTITATIVE IMPORT RESTRICTION ON RICE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8178, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to ensure food security and to make the country's agricultural sector viable, efficient and globally competitive. The State adopts the use of tariffs in lieu of non-tariff import restrictions to protect local producers of agricultural products.
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SECTION 2. Section 3 of R.A. No. 8178, as amended is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — The following definitions apply to the terms used in this Act:
"(a) 'Agricultural products' shall refer to specific commodities classified under Chapters 1-24 of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) adopted and used in Section 1611 of R.A. No. 10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff...
Summary of Republic Act No. 11203
Liberalization of Rice Importation, Exportation and Trading
- Repeals laws prescribing quantitative import restrictions on agricultural products, including rice. (Section 4)
- Imposes tariffs in lieu of quantitative import restrictions on agricultural products. (Section 6)
- For rice imports:
- In-quota tariff rate for minimum access volume committed to WTO. (Section 6(a))
- ATIGA rate for imports from ASEAN member states. (Section 6(b))
- Out-quota tariff rate of 180% or tariff equivalent for imports from non-ASEAN WTO members. (Section 6(c))
Powers of the President
- Increase, reduce, revise or adjust existing tariff rates up to bound rate committed to WTO and ATIGA. (Section 7(a))
- Allow importation at lower tariff rate in case of imminent or forecasted shortage. (Section 7(b))
- Negotiate or renegotiate international trade commitments on rice. (Section 7-A)
Rice Buffer Stock
- NFA to maintain sufficient rice buffer stock sourced solely from local farmers. (Section 8)
Lifting of Quantitative Export Restrictions on Rice
- Repeals laws imposing quantitative export restrictions on rice. (Section 9)
Special Rice Safeguard
- Imposes special safeguard duty on rice in accordance with Safeguard Measures Act. (Section 10)
Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund
- Creates a Rice Fund of P10 billion annually for 6 years for:
- 50% for rice farm machinery and equipment as grants to farmers' associations, cooperatives and LGUs. (Section 13(a))
- 30% for rice seed development, propagation and promotion by PhilRice. (Section 13(b))
- 10% for expanded rice credit assistance by LBP and DBP. (Section 13(c))
- 10% for rice extension services by PHilMech, PhilRice, ATI and TESDA. (Section 13(d))
- Excess tariff revenues to be used for:
- Financial assistance to rice farmers of 2 hectares and below. (Section 13(a))
- Titling of agricultural rice lands awarded under CARP. (Section 13(b))
- Expanded crop insurance program on rice by PCIC. (Section 13(c))
- Crop diversification program by DA. (Section 13(d))
Beneficiaries and Rice Industry Roadmap
- Beneficiaries are farmers, farmworkers and dependents listed in RSBSA, and accredited rice cooperatives and associations. (Section 14)
- DA to formulate and adopt a rice industry roadmap within 180 days. (Section 15)
National Single Window Program
- BOC to implement National Single Window program within 180 days for accurate tariff collection. (Section 16)
