The government will experience difficulty in attempting to maintain the ₱20/kilo rice program, said a lawmaker on Thursday.
During a Kapihan sa Senado press forum, Senator Imelda “Imee” Marcos said a considerable amount will have to be allotted for subsidizing farmers in order to carry on with the program. Seeds, fertilizers, fuel for the transportation of goods, as well as farmers’ allowances must be funded to maintain low prices, reported RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas.
“So ‘yung ₱20 (per kilo of rice), napakabigat no’n. The only way that it’s attainable is as we know, that it’s subsidized, whether at the source, meaning ibigay ‘yung abono, ibigay ‘yung gasolina, (pati) stipend para sa ating mga farmers. Or sa bandang huli, pagbili, ay isu-subsidize for the consumer,” she explained.
Marcos concluded that while the program realizes a fine aspiration, in truth, long-term sustainability is an unattainable hope.
“So, in a way, masasabi natin, kahit magandang mithiin—sinabi naman ng Pangulo na pangarap ‘yan—e, alam natin unsustainable kasi sinu-subsidize ng gobyerno. May hangganan ‘yan, ‘di naman kaya. At alam naman natin, nakikita naman natin, iilan lang nakakabenta ng ₱20 rice. Talagang mabigat sa ating bulsa ‘yan,” Marcos told reporters.
To sustain the program, the government must strike a balance between lowering rice prices for consumers and keeping the sale of palay (unprocessed or unhusked rice grains) profitable, she said. According to data, the cost of producing palay is ₱16-17 per kilo, while it is being purchased for only ₱8.
Marcos proposed a thorough study of the supply value chain of palay—from harvest up to its sale as milled rice. She added that emulating the United States’ Farm Law with its Suggested Farm Gate Price for palay and Suggested Retail Price for rice.
Earlier, Marcos’ brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., ordered a 60-day suspension on rice importation beginning in September.
