A farmer’s group opposed plans by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to import more rice after successive strong typhoons the past weeks, saying the government should instead focus its attention to helping local farmers recover.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said Marcos Jr.’s plan is unjust as it undermines local production and jeopardizes farmers’ livelihoods.
Danilo Ramos, KMP Chairperson, said the Marcos administration prioritizes the profit of foreign traders and suppliers, instead of compensating and aiding farmers who lost their crops and livelihoods to the typhoons.
Ramos said immediate and significant compensation for farmers who suffered massive losses due to the recent typhoons must be prioritized.
“The government must allocate sufficient funds to directly compensate farmers, including cash assistance, subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. This aid must be swift and free from bureaucratic red tape,” Ramos added.
Marcos Jr. on Friday said agricultural losses caused by recent typhoons had been significant and the government might have to import more rice before year end.
“I just received a report from the Department of Agriculture, and it looks like we’ll need to boost our imports. Fortunately, the prices for imported rice have significantly decreased compared to last year,” Marcos said.
The President said rice imports could go up to 4.5 million metric tons, an increase from the 3.9 million metric tons imported last year.
He noted significant damage to rice fields and other crops, which may require an increase in rice imports to stabilize the food supply and prices.
“In terms of food security, we’re in a good position, but the damage is extensive,” Marcos said.
Department of Agriculture assistant secretary Arnel de Mesa said on Monday agriculture losses have reached more than P10 billion due to the series of typhoons that recently hit the country.
Ramos however said that rice importation is not the solution to address supply shortages.
“The price of imported rice has not decreased and the production cost for local rice remains high due to the government’s lack of support. Such policies further undermine farmers and worsen the crisis in the agricultural sector,” the Makabayan Senate aspirant explained.
Ramos pointed out that the agricultural losses reflect the government’s failure to implement disaster preparedness measures and build a climate-resilient agriculture system.
KMP challenged the Marcos administration to focus on strengthening local production rather than relying on imported rice. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
