Section 15Sec./Art. 15

A new Section 15 is hereby inserted after the new Section 14 of R. A. No. 8178. as amended, to read as follows:

"Sec. 15. Rice Industry Roadmap. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the DA, .together with the NED A. Department of Finance (DOF), DBM, DAR. National Irrigation Administration (NIA), TESDA, PCIC, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Farmer Sectoral Council Representative and other government agencies concerned, including rice farmer representatives, shall be given a maximum of one hundred eighty (180) days to formulate and adopt the rice roadmap to restructure the governments delivery of support services for the agricultural rice sector.

"The following principles shall govern the development and implementation of the roadmap for the rice industry:

"(a) Raise sustainable investments in the rice industry particularly on rice support infrastructure and post-harvest facilities;

"(b) Improve the productivity, efficiency and profitability of small rice farmers and landless farmworkers;

"(c) Strengthen research and development programs that will enhance the resiliency of the rice industry:

"(d) Preserve and enhance the rice production capabilities of future generations;

"(e) Provide accessible, targeted and technology-oriented support services that cover the entire value chain;

"(f) Set up responsible, participatory and effective governance mechanisms; and

"(g) Address impact of income loss caused by rice tariffication.

"The rice industry roadmap shall be implemented through a complementation of the DAs rice sector programs as funded by the GAA, and the Rice Fund created under this Act."