Farmers, workers and other sectors protested before the Department of Agriculture today, September 27, to once again oppose the Marcos regime’s rice liberalization program.

“Tariff reduction from 35% to 15% in accordance with Execution Order 62 did not result in a significant decrease in the price of rice,” Ka Daning Ramos, leader of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Koalisyong Makabayan senatorial candidate, said.

Compared to September 2023, the rice prices this September 2024 is 30% higher in the market. The price of well-milled rice averages ₱50.43/kilo while regular rice is ₱47.04/kilo. Soaring rice prices has been one of the drivers of rapid inflation. Compared to previous months, there has been minimal, if any, reduction in the price of rice, contrary to Marcos’ promise of a ₱5-₱7 reduction when EO 62 takes effect.

Farmers also belittled the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act enacted yesterday by the regime as a measure allegedly to curb cartel operations in the country. They said similar laws exist but they fail to identify, arrest and prosecute major smugglers and hoarders.

“In today’s trend of complete agricultural liberalization, large-scale smuggling goes hand-in-hand with importation,” Ka Daning said. He said, no smugglers or hoarders have been brought to court yet, and their operations continue at the expense of farmers.

At present, farmers are suffering from the very low farmgate price of rice due to imported rice influx. In some regions, traders buy rice at only ₱14-₱16/kilo, which is lower than farmers’ production costs. They are certain that the price will continue to decrease this October as the harvest season approaches because traders will be pouring imported rice at the same time. This includes the more than 20 million kilos of rice deliberately hoarded at a port in Manila for more than 30 days.