Measures include imposing safeguard duties on rice imports to protect local farmers.
During his talk with the farmerd in Claveria, Cagayan, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the government will provide assistance to rice farmers affected by the drop in palay prices,
He noted that the National Food Authority (NFA) will expand its program to purchase palay at higher prices than those from traders.
The NFA buying price for fresh/wet palay is PNP18 to PHP19 per kilo, and PHP21 to PHP23 for clean dry palay, while traders who prey on farmers bring down prices to as low as PHP8 per kilo.
“Kaya’t palalawakin natin ito at maglalagay din tayo doon sa mga tinamaan sa pagbaba ng presyo ng palay, magbibigay din tayo ng direct na tulong para sa ating mga magsasaka,” said Marcos Jr.
He added, “Mayroon tayong pinaplano, tigsa-sampung libo, ‘yung mga nalugi dahil sa pagbagsak ng bilihan ng palay.”
President Marcos also noted that the government will impose safeguard duties on rice imports to ensure that local rice prices will not drop and affect farmers negatively.
“Maglalagay tayo ng safeguard duties para sa importasyon para sa pag-import ay hindi masisira naman ang presyo dito sa atin. Dahil ang nagdidikta ng presyo ng bigas ay ‘yung imported rice,” the chief executive stated.
He added, “Pagka mag-import lang tayo nang mag-import at hindi natin ayusin ang production ay matatamaan ang ating mga farmer. Kaya’t ‘yun ay aming binabantayan at tinitingan namin lahat ng mga farmer na nalugi dahil nga bumagsak ang presyo ng palay, ay bibigyan po natin ng tulong.”
Meanwhile, the President has ordered adherence to the National Farm-to-Market Roads Network Plan in the construction of roads meant to help farmers transport their produce.
“Farm-to-market road dahil alam naman natin ‘yan ang pinakamahalaga. Nakagawa na po tayo ng plano para sa buong Pilipinas sa farm-to-market road,” he said.
PBBM acknowledged the importance of getting inputs from local government unit (LGU) officials for the proper implementation of the farm-to-market roads network.
He noted, “Siyempre pupuntahan din natin ang mga mayor natin, ang mga governor natin para itanong kung ‘ ‘yung plano namin ay maganda, kung tama ang dinadaanan nung farm-to-market road, kung ano ‘yung suggestion nila at ‘yun ang sinusunod natin na plano.”
Apart from that, following the national plan, according to him, would prevent politicking and wastage in the implementation of farm-to-market road projects.
“Hindi lang ‘yung kagaya ng dati na palakasan lang, nakikiusap lang. ‘Oh, lagyan ko ng farm-to-market road dito. ‘Pag medyo kaibigan, pag medyo kapartido, oh sige, approved.’ Walang plano. Kung minsan, kung saan-saan napupunta ang farm-to-market road na hindi naman nakakatulong sa ating mga magsasaka,” Marcos said.