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DA encourages to report traders exploiting PH farmers
DA encourages to report traders exploiting PH farmers
Nation
DA encourages to report traders exploiting PH farmers
by Angelica Matabang06 August 2025
Philippine Rural Development Project | Website

Department of Agriculture Spokesperson Assistant Secretary (DA-ASEC) Arnel De Mesa insisted that traders were the culprit in farmers' losses, not the 20php/kilo rice program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

De Mesa said that the reason for the expensive price of rice in the market, yet discounted if bought from the local farmers, is due to the several imported rice in the country. More than two million metric tons of imported rice are entering the Philippines as of June.

“Merong buwan na more than 500,000 metric tons, normally kasi between 300,000 to 360,000 metric tons yung pumapasok. Okay yung level na ‘yon, pero pag lumagpas do’n, talagang sobrang dami. At yung buwan nga ng Mayo nakapag-register tayo ng more than 500,000 metric tons. Isang buwan lang ‘yon.” said De Mesa.

“Alam ng mga traders kung gaano karami yung pumapasok na bigas, alam nila ‘yan. Kaya pag minsan, talagang binabarat talaga ang ating mga magsasaka, kasi alam naman nila na maraming imported na pumapasok.” he said.

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According to De Mesa, from the 15% tariff, it will increase to 25% and eventually will back to 35%. In some areas of the Philippines, the selling price of palay (unhusked rice) is only as low as 6 pesos, which is significantly lower compared to the production cost of 14 pesos.

“Kagaya ng nabanggit ng ating pangulo, isumbong nila yun sa DA, sa ating kapulisan at talagang imbestigahan ang mga ganitong pangyayari, kasi talagang hindi na tama ang limang piso, sampung piso bibilhin yung sariwang palay sa ating mga magsasaka.” De Mesa urged.

“Kasi yung cost of produce ngayon, yung huling datos ng PSA nasa 14 pesos pa.” he added.

Moreover, President Marcos already announced that the rice importation will be suspended for 60 days starting September 1, 2025. This is to protect local farmers reeling from low palay prices during this current harvest season.

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