The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women and the rice watch group Bantay Bigas hit the Department of Agriculture’s proposal to reduce tariff rates imposed on rice imports to be implemented over the next 12 months as a measure to curb rising food prices.
“Inutil at anti-magsasaka itong naisip ng DA. Sa halip na tugunan ang panawagan na magpatupad ng price control para pababain ang presyo ng pangunahing bilihin at bigyan ng ayuda ang mga maralitang mamamayan na nawalan ng kabuhayan at naapektuhan ng kalamidad, panibagong bigwas sa mga magsasaka ang naiisip na solusyon,” Amihan secretary general and Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo said.
“Tariff reduction on rice imports would further pull down farm gate prices of palay which has been at its historic low since the implementation of Rice Liberalization Law. Bugbog-sarado na ang mga magsasaka sa epekto ng rice liberalization, lockdown at kalamidad, ibababa pa ang taripa,” Estavillo added.
Amihan and Bantay Bigas noted that palay farm gate price decreased by an average of P3.35 to P5.35 per kilo from P18.90 and P20.87 in 2017 and 2018 to P15.55 per kilo in 2020.
“Umabot na sa 4 o higit pang anihan na tuluy-tuloy na sadsad ang presyo ng palay sa bansa dahil sa rice liberalization. Mahigit 2 milyon ang magsasaka sa palayan. Konsyumer din ang mga magsasaka. Kasama sila sa nakakaranas ng gutom at hirap dahil sa nagtataasang presyo ng pagkain habang bagsak at binabarat ang presyo ng kanilang produkto,” Estavillo exclaimed.
“Tariff reduction would also affect the collection of RCEF (Rice Comepetitiveness Enhancement Fund). Kakarampot na nga kumpara sa kitang nawawala sa magsasaka, mababawasan pa,” Estavillo said.
“Importation has always been DA’s answer to soaring food prices. When will this default solution end? DA should get a little creative and consider a change of perspective. It should focus on boosting local production by providing necessary and appropriate production support to local farmers to pave the way for food self-sufficiency and improve farmers’ welfare,” Estavillo added.
Amihan and Bantay Bigas reiterated its demand for immediate price control on basic commodities and the provision of P10,000 financial assistance and P15, 000 production subsidy for the farmers, peasant women, agricultural workers, fisherfolk and other rural-based sectors. ###
