Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday said the Senate is prepared to review existing laws governing the National Food Authority (NFA) and introduce amendments that would restore and strengthen the agency’s regulatory powers.

He said the move is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push to bring back NFA’s original mandate to buy and sell rice, allowing it to intervene more effectively in the supply chain.

“Mapapaigting nito ang proteksyon para sa ating mga magsasaka na umaaray na sa mababang farmgate prices ng palay at kawalan ng kita (This will strengthen the protection for our farmers who are already hurting from low farmgate prices of palay and loss of income),” he said.

“At makakatulong din ito sa pagpapababa ng presyo ng bigas sa merkado (And this will also help lower the price of rice in the market).

The Senator emphasized that restoring the agency’s powers is essential not only for market stabilization but also for ensuring fair farmgate prices, which have significantly dropped in recent months.

Any proposal to revive the NFA’s original function must include safeguards to professionalize its operations and prevent abuse or inefficiency, he added. (PNA)