The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women and Bantay Bigas rice watch group urged the farmers and food producers across the country to collectively press the government to resolve the continuing trend of depressed farm gate prices of palay and quell the smuggling of vegetable products such as carrots in the market. The groups joined other peasant organizations and consumers in a protest in front of the Department of Agriculture central office in Quezon City.
“Umaaray na ang mga magsasaka sa palayan sa napakababang presyo ng palay. Umabot lamang na sa P10 – 14.50 kada kilo ang palay. Samantalang, pagdating sa mga pamilihan, walang murang bigas at ang umiiral na presyo ay P38 – 44 / kg at P42.50 -P45 ang imported. Sa ngayon, bumabaha ng smuggled na carrots mula China sa mga palengke. Sa Mega Q-Mart, umaabot ng P110 ang kilo ng imported na carrots samantalang P60 ang local,” Cathy Estavillo, Secretary-general of Amihan and spokesperson of Bantay Bigas exclaimed.
She added that the livelihood of rice farmers are devastated as the sector becomes “fully liberalized” or with private traders totally dominating the buying of palay and dictating farm gate prices. Moreover, that rice importation is promoted by the government and the Republic Act 11203 Rice Liberalization Law, particularly by the Department of Agriculture, amid low productivity and deficit for self-sufficiency.
“Kawawa na nga ang mga magsasaka ng palay, ngayon, may panibagong pahirap na naman sa mga magsasaka ng gulay, dahil sa smuggling ng carrots, at nababalita pa na pati ang cabbage at luya. Nagaganap ito, na dumadaan sa customs na alam naman nating lahat na kontrolado ni Duterte,” Estavillos slammed.
In the last week of September, Cordillera farmers reported depressed farm gate prices of carrots and cabbages with the influx of imported products.
Amihan and Bantay Bigas urged the Filipino food producers to organize and let their voices be heard and press the Duterte government to immediately stop smuggling of agricultural products, and support the local production, as strategic step towards self-sufficiency and food security. The groups said that affected farmers may contact them to be part of the “Defend Ph Agri” network.
The groups reiterated their demand to raise the farm gate prices of palay to at least P20 per kilo, and provide rice farmers with P15,000 production subsidy, to offset rising debts and continue the wheels of production.
“Ang aral dito ay kung hindi pa umangal ang mga magsasaka sa kanilang mga nararanasan, bunga ng mga patakaran ng gubyernong Duterte, hindi pa ito papansinin. Ang long-term na solution rito ay pagbasura ng Rice Liberalization Law at patakarang liberalisasyon sa agrikultura, at todong suportahan ang mga magsasaka at sektor ng agrikultura, para makamit natin ang national food security na nakabatay sa self-sufficiency at self-reliance,” Estavillo ended. ###
