MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading yesterday a resolution allowing the use of the remaining P6.97-billion rice subsidy fund for the purchase of palay (unhusked rice) from local farmers. Lawmakers stamped their approval on House Joint Resolution 22 allowing the use of government funds from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for buying palay, which shall then be distributed to beneficiaries. The resolution was approved by 206 of close to 300 House members. Thousands of rice farmers affected by low palay prices are set to receive a total of P3 billion in cash subsidy before Christmas, Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte said earlier. As of October, the government has collected more than P11 billion in taxes from rice importation.

Source: Philippine Star November 12, 2019 16:02 UTC