Amidst the recent reduction of tariffs on imported rice, Senator Cynthia Villar is now asking for an allocation of ₱7 billion to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) under the proposed 2025 national budget.

In her manifestation as chair of the Senate’s finance subcommittee. Villar she noted that the allocation is needed because the tariff on rice had gone down from 35 to just 15 percent.

“Because of that, we might only be able to collect ₱15 billion and we need ₱30 billion. There is an excess this year, there’s a collection of ₱26 billion. We will be spending P18 billion this year—the ₱10 billion for RCEF and the ₱8 billion financial assistance to rice farmers owning two hectares (of land) and below,” she noted.

With the shortage of around ₱7 billion, the lady senator disclosed that she wants the Department of Agriculture (DA) to put the allocation in their proposed 2025 budget to complete the ₱30 billion funding for the RCEF.

Apart from this, Villar likewise announced the granting and the rejection of some of the DA’s wish list for their 2025 budget but will allow the allocation of ₱50 million for the creation of a Rubber Research Institute while providing the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) an additional ₱150 million funding.