Pinoy farmers back Abalos’ Senate bid
SENATORIAL candidate Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. gained strong backing from Filipino farmers.
During his recent dialogue with local farmers inside the National Food Authority (NFA) compound in Nueva Ecija, Abalos received a symbolic endorsement as various farmers’ groups raised his hand in unity, expressing their appreciation for his willingness to amend a law they blame for pushing them deeper into debt and hardship.
Abalos committed to pushing for the urgent amendment of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), before 1,500 farmers from Central Luzon—mostly from Nueva Ecija towns including Guimba, Aliaga, Sto. Domingo, Peñaranda, Cuyapo, Gapan City, Talavera, Nampicuan, San Isidro, Jaen, Talugtug, Quezon, and Licab.
“The solution is simple,” Abalos said. “Give the NFA the power to buy palay at a fair price and sell it directly to the people. No need for warehouses. You help the farmers and provide affordable rice for consumers.”
“Umiikot ang pera. Nakatulong ka na sa mga magsasaka. Nakatulong ka pa sa ordinaryong Pilipino na nangangailangan ng bigas. Hindi kailangan pagdebatehan ito,” he added.
The RTL, passed in 2019, opened the floodgates to rice imports but has since faced criticism for leaving local farmers vulnerable, according to the dialogue.
Abalos emphasized that unless changes are made, the country risks losing its agricultural backbone.
He pointed out the shortcomings of the law, saying it has failed to offer the necessary protection and support to farmers. “Let us not wait until farmlands disappear and everything on our tables comes from imports,” he warned. “If that happens, the entire country will suffer. We must ensure food sustainability. And the only way to do that is to support our farmers.”
Abalos also underscored the need to empower the National Food Authority beyond emergency responses. According to him, the NFA should be allowed again not only to buy palay from farmers but also to sell them in the market.
“Ipaglalaban ko na masuportahan kayo pagdating sa produksyon, abono, at mga pasilidad,” he told the farmers. “Hindi lang ito usapin ng pagpapalakas ng sektor ng agrikultura—dapat tiyakin na may sapat na pondo ang NFA. Mahalaga na agad naibebenta ng NFA ang palay para mabilis umikot ang pera at makinabang ang mga magsasaka. Tandaan n’yo po, sa araw na ito, kasama natin ang pamahalaan—sa pamamagitan ng DA at NFA—at yan din mismo ang aking paninindigan. Ako mismo ang magsusulong ng mga kinakailangang pagbabago sa Rice Tariffication Law.”
Abalos’ plans also include discounted real property taxes on agricultural lands, allowances for farmers’ children, as well as improving access to financing and crop insurance, and advocating for the passage of the long-delayed National Land Use Act to shield farmland from commercial threats.
“This is about survival—not just for farmers, but for the entire country,” Abalos said. “We need to make sure our agricultural system remains strong.”
