Palace assures public of transparency in use of P10-billion rice fund

(Eagle News)—The Palace on Tuesday, Feb. 19, assured the public there would be transparency in the use of the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, and no corruption.

“Good governance is the hallmark of the Duterte Administration and the President has zero tolerance against corruption and wastage of taxpayers’ money,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

According to Panelo, the Secretary of Agriculture would be accountable  for the rice fund, which will be derived from the 35 percent rice tariff imposed on rice imported from other Southeast Asian countries, under the newly signed Rice Tariffication Law.

Panelo said  the master list of beneficiaries of the rice fund–farmers, farm workers, rice cooperatives and associations–will also be validated and updated by the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with farmers’ cooperatives and organizations and local government units.

He said the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization will also conduct a periodic review of the rice fund.

“We continue to exercise accountability and transparency in all levels of the bureaucracy,” Panelo said.