The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women and Bantay Bigas have issued a strong statement condemning the Department of Agriculture’s recent recommendations on rice importation, calling for the immediate repeal of the Rice Liberalization Law (Republic Act 11203) and Executive Order No. 62.
The groups assert that the Rice Liberalization Law has caused chronic hardship for Filipino farmers and poor consumers, citing plummeting farmgate prices of palay and persistently high rice prices.
They argue that the law, along with EO 62, which slashed rice import tariffs from 35% to 15%, has only benefited large traders, importers, and smugglers, while leaving farmers at a severe disadvantage.
“Lumalakas ang panawagan ng taumbayan na ipawalambisa o i-repeal ang Rice Liberalization Law dahil ito ang puno’t dulo ng matinding krisis sa bigas at pagpatay ssa kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka. Ramdam ang epekto nito mula sa napakataas pa rin na presyo ng bigas at napakababang presyo ng palay. Sa ngayon, nananatiling #1 world’s rice importer ang bansa,” said Cathy Estavillo, Amihan Secretary General and spokesperson for Bantay Bigas.
Estavillo emphasized that despite over three years in power, the current administration has continued to uphold policies that favor importation, ignoring widespread opposition from farmers and the public.
She noted that the recent harvest saw palay prices drop to as low as ₱7–₱8 per kilo, while rice prices remain unaffordable for many.
Mounting Evidence of Policy Failure
The groups argue that EO 62 should be scrapped immediately, not merely reviewed, as its implementation has failed to bring down rice prices or improve farmers’ incomes.
They cited data showing the country’s rice import dependency has nearly doubled—from 13% in 2018 to 25% today—making the Philippines the world’s top rice importer.
Urgent Demands from Farmers and Advocates
Amihan and Bantay Bigas laid out a comprehensive set of demands aimed at restoring the viability of local rice production and protecting consumers:
– Raise the farmgate price of palay to at least ₱20 per kilo
– Provide compensation to farmers affected by successive calamities
– Grant a production subsidy of no less than ₱25,000 per hectare
– Achieve 100% irrigation development and implement free irrigation
– Build widespread post-harvest facilities as public service
– Ensure affordable rice through NFA sales at ₱25 per kilo
– Pass House Bill 578 or the Rice Industry Development Act (RIDA), proposed by Makabayan bloc lawmakers
The groups warned that the administration’s apparent concern for farmers is merely performative, driven by growing public outrage over the rice crisis.
They called on farmers, poor consumers, and allied sectors to unite in demanding the full repeal of rice import liberalization policies, not just temporary import suspensions.
“Wala kaming ibang panawagan kundi labanan ang importasyon ni Marcos at higit sa lahat, dapat palakasin ang lokal na produksyon at ipatupad ang tunay na reporma sa lupa para sa kapakanan ng kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka at mamamayan,” Estavillo concluded. (ZIA LUNA)
