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“Only if the missing P197 billion ($3.3 billion) flood control project funds every year were realigned for funding the local farmers, 6.27 million metric ton of palay can be produced and 84,022 small-scale and 42,011 large-scale driers for post-harvest can be distributed,”
Women farmers in Laguna, reeling from floods that destroyed their rice fields and left them with losses of up to P20,000 ($340) per hectare, are demanding calamity compensation and higher palay prices, as their crops are not covered by insurance and government rice policies continue to draw criticism.
“The 60-day rice import ban is just for show. While the public is being made to believe that something is being done for the farmers, the Rice Liberalization Law, one of the root causes of the decline in farmers’ income and the rising price of rice, remains in effect. It must be immediately repealed."
“The rice crisis has worsened since the Rice Liberalization was implemented, and Senator Kiko knows this as well."
The Rice Liberalization Law has been in place for five years. Still, market prices have yet to drop to P25 per kilo, affecting farmers and consumers.
"There is an urgency to reinstate NFA's functions that were removed by the Rice Liberalization Law. Only then can the NFA have an influence on the local rice industry that is now dominated by the private sector. One of the priorities now is to be able to lower the price of rice and to make it affordable."
“Local supply can definitely cover the needed buffer stocking without the need for importation. The National Food Authority should have strong political will to do this."
Women peasant group Amihan called on the government to aid Typhoon Maring-hit farming and fishing communities in Northern Luzon provinces that have been battling very low farm gate prices due to massive importation.
Families coped using different strategies, including purchasing food on credit, borrowing food from relatives or neighbors, while some adults reported that they limited their food intake in favor of children.
A farmers’ group has expressed concerns over government programs and policies that have caused a decline in rice production under the Duterte administration – far from the supposed promise of prosperity for poor farmers and fisherfolk.
“The strict lockdown crippled us. On top of the ongoing militarization in our community, it is difficult to survive. Many of us only have a handful of our produce.”
Under President Duterte’s first year in office, the reported rape cases has also increased by 53 percent compared to its 6,480 annual average in the past decade.
“Duterte ignored the calls of farmers to put a stop to the rice liberalization law, when its dreadful impacts on our livelihoods is very much evident, affecting consumers, government workers, small rice traders, and workers.”
Peasant women group Amihan, citing data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), said the Philippines will be importing up to three million metric tons this year, beating China’s 2.5 million tons.
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