For Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, the maximum suggested retail price is just a band-aid solution and does not address the root cause of the continued rise in rice and food prices—the lack of support for local farmers, neoliberal agricultural policies, and the importation of cheap rice that undermines local production, as well as the absence of genuine rural industrialization.
“Farmers and consumers are demanding the strengthening of the rice industry as a solution to the perennial rice inflation, now nearing an all-time high rate that is expected to continue until July.”
“There is no one to blame for the highest inflation rate but Marcos.”
“It’s crystal clear that the ones who benefited from this are the importers and businessmen. While the price of rice went up, the price of palay kept on going down.”
Agroecology X, an alliance of local food producers and agricultural groups, pointed out the Department of Agriculture’s failure to address their problems, particularly the impacts of African swine fever and rice importation.
Nitong mga nakaraang buwan, halos dumapa nang husto ang presyo ng palay sa pamilihan sanhi ng pagdagsa ng mga inangkat na bigas mula sa ibang bansa. Mas mahal pa ang isang istik ng sigarilyo o isang bote ng softdrinks kaysa sa isang kilo ng palay. Sa walang habas na pagpasok ng mga inangkat na dayuhang palay, wala nang proteksyon ang mga magsasaka na pangalagaan ang kanilang mga ani sa pamilihan.
Filipino farmers call for subsidy amid the influx of imported rice from other countries.
By DEE AYROSO