A LAWMAKER has filed a measure to make rice production profitable for farmers and make the staple food cheaper for consumers via a subsidy program that will be provided for the country’s 2.6 million rice farmers.

“Napakababa po ng kita ng ating mga magsasaka, kulang na kulang sa kanilang pangangailangan. Madalas ang kita nila, pambayad pa ng utang,” lamented AGRI Rep. Wilbert T. Lee.

Under Lee’s proposed House Bill (HB) 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 government agencies, will establish a subsidy program to ensure that farmers can sell palay at a higher price that will entice them to increase their production.

“Naniniwala tayo na ang dapat pong pinaka-bantayan ng gobyerno ay ang presyo ng palay. Sa panukalang ito, gusto nating patungan ng hanggang P10 ang presyo ng palay per kilo para siguradong kikita ang ating mga magsasaka sa pagbili ng gobyerno,” explained Lee.

The Bicolano lawmaker added that “sa pagtaas ng kita ng mga magsasaka, lalo po silang magsisikap na pataasin ang kanilang produksyon.”

According to the Bicolano lawmaker, this measure will entail an estimated P200 billion in funding, a worthwhile investment since this will also address perennial problems in the agriculture sector.

Lee pointed out the government could still allow the importation of rice so that the tariffs collected from importation could be used to fund the subsidies and additional support for farmers.

“Maaari pong mag-import kung sino ang kaya na makapag-import para dumami ang supply sa merkado at bumaba ang presyo. Ang makokolekta pong tariff mula sa importasyon, ibibigay natin sa mga lokal na magsasaka as inputs subsidy para lalong bumaba ang production costs.

Dapat lang siguruhin na on time ang pagbibigay nito para talagang mapakinabangan ng ating mga magsasaka. Hindi yung kung kailan anihan na, eh saka dumarating ang ayuda,” stressed Lee.

Lee pointed out that lowering rice prices to P20 a kilo is possible in the long term if we are willing to invest in protecting and addressing the needs of our farmers, whom he called the country’s “food security soldiers.”

“National security issue ang food security kaya itinuturing natin ang ating mga magsasaka na food security soldiers.

Kung meron man kailangang i-subsidize ang gobyerno, walang panghihinayang po dapat natin itong ilaan sa ating mga magsasaka.

Sa pagtulong sa mga magsasaka, tataas ang kanilang kita at produksyon na makakatulong sa ating food security. Kapag nangyari ito, winner tayo lahat,” the solon said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco