WITH rice prices remaining high, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee renewed his push for the passage of his proposed measure, which seeks to establish a “price subsidy” program that will help local farmers ensure their profit and entice them to boost their production.
Under Lee’s proposed House Bill No. 9020 or the “Cheaper Rice Act”, the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other relevant agencies, will buy palay from farmers at higher prices, and sell the rice to consumers at cheaper rates.
“Kung gusto nating maabot ang P20/kilo ng bigas, itong Cheaper Rice Act ang nakikita nating solusyon, at dapat itong gawing priority measure para maisabatas na sa lalong madaling panahon,” said the lawmaker.
“Sa panukalang ito, papatungan natin ng P5 to P10 ang presyo ng palay per kilo na bibilhin ng gobyerno sa mga lokal na magsasaka para siguradong kikita sila. Kapag may kita, magpupursige silang taasan ang kanilang produksyon,” explained Lee.
The Bicolano solon added that this measure will also address the concerns that farmers are forced to sell their land because they are not earning.
“Kung may kita kada kilo, wala pong makakaisip na ibenta ang kanilang lupa. Ma-e-engganyo pati na ang kanilang mga anak at mga kabataan na pasukin ang pagsasaka,” he pointed out.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), rice inflation reached 19.6% on December 2023, the highest since the recorded 22.9% rice inflation on March 2009.
DA Spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the price of staple food cannot be expected to significantly decrease since prices in the global market remain high.
De Mesa reportedly said that, “Hopefully, we can source rice from abroad at cheaper prices because imports from Vietnam and Thailand are quite expensive.”
But, Lee pointed out that the government must not depend on importation to have cheaper rice in the market, and should instead focus on improving rice self-sufficiency that HB 9020 aims to achieve.
“May domino effect ang benepisyo ng panukala nating ito. Dahil sigurado ang kita at patataasin ng mga magsasaka ang kanilang produksyon, dadami ang supply, mapapababa ang presyo sa merkado, at kaya nating maabot ang food security at food sufficiency. Kapag nagtuloy-tuloy ito, darating ang araw na kaya na rin nating mag-export ng bigas,” he said.
“With more income, we empower our farmers to provide food for their family and for the entire country, at the same time easing their concerns about getting sick because they cannot afford medical treatment or hospital expenses. Sa pagsasabatas ng Cheaper Rice Act, Winner Tayo Lahat.”
