MANILA, Philippines — Erwin Tulfo, deputy majority leader and ACT-CIS party representative, said only the Department of Agriculture (DA) should be allowed to import rice because the price of imported grains has not fallen.

“The president reduced tariffs on imported rice, but the market price is still between 50 and 60 pesos per kilo,” he said. “Don’t tell me the tariff cut had no effect. Where have the savings from the tariff cut gone? People should benefit from it,” he added.

Tulfo said authorities should act because it appears only importers benefit from lower tariffs.

He said he and fellow ACT-CIS Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo plan to file a bill that would authorize the DA to import rice from other countries.

According to the proposal, rice imported by the DA from other countries should be sold in the Philippines at the same price as it was purchased.

“As the DA is not authorized to sell rice, we will include in the measure a proposal allowing rice retailers to apply for a license to operate the Kadiwa centers. Now, while the DA can already import regularly, men already have a competitor…so they will be forced to lower their prices,” Tulfo said.

The proposed bill would also prohibit the DA from issuing import permits during the harvest season to protect local farmers.