𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲, 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐯’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 – updates from the peasant movement of the Philippines

As the rice price ceiling takes effect tomorrow, September 5, farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said farmers, small retailers and consumers must hold accountable the Marcos Jr administration for exorbitant rice prices. “It was the choice and decision of Marcos Jr, acting in his capacity as President and DA secretary, to continue the implementation of the rice liberalization law.”

“Artificially lowering the retail prices of rice without addressing the high cost of farm inputs and other long-standing problems of the domestic rice industry is counterproductive, and will considerably favor big rice traders, importers, and the rice cartel.”

KMP said that in 2021, Malacanang also imposed a price ceiling on pork and livestock products to address the exorbitant prices back then. However, the price ceiling on pork was ineffective in curbing the prices, and the government eventually gave in to the demand of importers to lower import tariffs on pork.

“Farmers empathize with small rice retailers who will bear the brunt of the price ceiling. We understand their situation. Farmers, retailers, and end-consumers are at the mercy of big rice traders and the rice cartel that can freely manipulate rice supply and prices. Ito ang ultimong epekto ng Rice Liberalization Law na nag-alis ng poder at awtoridad sa gobyerno para i-regulate at kontrolin ang lokal na industriya ng bigas,” according to Danilo Ramos, a rice farmer from Bulacan and the chairperson of KMP. “Yung malalaking traders at wholesalers na nagbenta ng mahal na bigas sa retailers, kumita na. Ang maliliit na retailers ngayon ang maiipit dito sa EO 39.”

KMP also urged farmers, consumers, and the public to defend their right to food which is constantly undermined by non-stop price hikes. “Rice liberalization effectively made the DA, the NFA, and the entire government sitting ducks as big rice traders continue with their overpricing and profiteering.”

“We must seriously address the production side of the local rice industry and demand the reinstatement of state regulation and control to ensure the supply of affordable rice for Filipinos.”

KMP said farmers and consumers should assert the return of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) rolling buying stores and the “Buy high, sell low” practice of NFA palay procurement, rice selling and distribution, respectively. Prior to RA 11203, the NFA can still sell regular milled rice at P27 per kilo and well-milled rice at P32 per kilo to the public. Latest rice prices now range from P45 to P60 per kilo. “Ngayon na walang hawak na bigas ang NFA at gobyerno maliban sa buffer stocking, at lahat ng suplay ng bigas ay nasa traders at pribadong sektor, hindi na nakakaimpluwensiya ang NFA at gobyerno sa presyo ng bigas sa local market.”

KMP said that at the municipal level, rice farmers and their organizations can collectively assert that local government units procure palay (unhusked rice) directly from farmers at reasonable prices to help prevent exploitative traders and millers from buying palay at unfair and very low prices. “Sa darating na anihan, yung mga palay sa baryo, sama-samang ibebenta ng mga magsasaka direkta sa LGU at dapat bilhin ng LGU sa makatarungang presyo o P20 kilo pataas. Ipapagiling para maging murang bigas na ibebenta naman sa mga public markets, direkta din na pakikinabangan ng mga konsyumer. Dapat paglaanan ito ng badyet ng mga lokal na DA at LGUs.”

The group said they will continue to demand the junking of RA 11203 or the rice liberalization law. ###