Enacted on 14 February 2019, Republic Act (R.A.) 11203, otherwise known as the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), created the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) providing for a six-year appropriation of Php 10 billion per annum allocated to four (4) major programs, namely: Rice Farm Machineries and Equipment (Mechanization Program -50%); Rice Seed Development, Propagation and Promotion (Seed Program - 30%); Expanded Rice Credit Assistance (ERCA Program - 10%); and Rice Extension Services Program (RESP-10%).
The RTL was promulgated to ensure food security and to make the country's agriculture sector viable, efficient and globally competitive. Under R.A. 11203 Section 13b, the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) is mandated as the lead agency in the implementation of the RCEF Seed Program. Further, DA-PhilRice serves as a co-implementer of the RCEFRESP alongside the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Currently in its sixth implementation season, the RCEF Seed Program and PhilRice RESP component commenced in 2020 Dry Season (DS, Sep 16, 2019 - Mar 15, 2020) and is set to be implemented for six years (2019-2024). However, owing to the seasonality of rice production, it is expected to be completed by 2025 DS (Sep 16, 2024 - Mar 15, 2025).