MANILA, Philippines – “Napakahirap ng pinagdadaanan natin, lalo na ng ating mga magsasaka at mahihirap na kababayan sa labis na pagtaas ng presyo ng bigas at iba pang pagkain.
Ngunit dahil sa mga gyera sa iba’t-ibang dako ng mundo, ang kakaibang El Niño at mga sakit sa pananim dulot ng klima, malamang mananatili pa ang matataas na presyong ito.
Pakay ng AO 20 maibaba ang halaga ng pagkain. Ngunit kung pupunahin natin ang pinakamurang imported Thai White Rice 5% broken na nasa USD 597/MT, at White Rice 25% broken na USD 568/MT, napakatataas na ng bagsak nito!
Malabo nang ma-remedyo ng MAV (minimum access volume) ang presyo ng bigas, at hindi natin mararamdaman ang pagbaba ng presyo sa kada kilo dahil bukod sa nagmahal ang imported rice, tapos na rin ang anihan.
(Our current situation is extremely difficult, especially for our farmers and fellow citizens who are struggling with the excessive rise in the prices of rice and other food items.
However, due to wars in various parts of the world, the unusual El Niño phenomenon, and crop diseases caused by climate change, these high prices are likely to persist.
The goal of AO 20 is to lower the cost of food. But if we take note of the cheapest imported Thai White Rice 5% broken, priced at USD 597/MT, and White Rice 25% broken at USD 568/MT, the drop is still very high!
It’s unlikely that the minimum access volume (MAV) will remedy the price of rice, and we won’t feel any decrease in price per kilogram because aside from the increase in imported rice prices, the harvest season is also over.)
On the other hand, easing restrictions will reduce the prices of products such as onions, fish, pork, and sugar. But this will also impact local producers—particularly onion farmers even now selling well below their production cost.
Frequent and frank consultations between farmers, consumers and other stakeholders will be essential to monitor and evaluate the effects of AO 20, as well as past MAV measures.
We should further investigate and intervene against the huge disparity between farmgate and retail prices, thence punishing exorbitant charges and cartelization.
Most of all, let us support the Filipino farmer with investment, technology and minimal, well-regulated importation.”
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