Despite the Department of Agriculture and Malacanang’s interventions to lower rice prices, consumers and even food producers continue to feel the brunt of rising food costs. Executive Order 62, which reduced rice import tariffs, has not delivered the promised relief, and the government’s efforts to bolster local production have also fallen short, according to the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas as they led a rally today at the DA Central Office in Quezon City.

“The tariff reductions from 35% to 15% under Executive Order 62 have not led to substantial rice price reductions. Rice prices in the local market have risen by nearly 30%, with no immediate relief in sight. Rice remains a key contributor to inflation, exacerbating the burden on Filipino consumers,” says rice farmer and peasant leader Danilo Ramos.

As of September, rice prices in the market have surged by nearly 30%, with well-milled rice reaching Php 50.43 per kilogram, an increase of 27.17% from earlier in the year. Currently, regular milled rice is still priced at average Php 47.04 per kilogram, reflecting a 28.95% increase compared to earlier in the year. “Even if the government reduced rice import tariffs from 35% to 15% in hopes of cutting prices by as much as Php 5 to Php 7 per kilogram, the impact on retail prices has been very minimal,” Ramos said.

Plummeting palay prices

Farmers, already struggling with the impact of plummeting palay prices due to the influx of imported rice, are particularly affected. In some regions, freshly harvested palay is now priced as low as Php14 to P16.50 per kilogram, well below what is needed to support farming communities.

KMP’s Ramos said: “the government’s pro-neoliberal focus on importation and tariff reductions has failed to address lingering issues related to rice production and rice prices and DA and Marcos Jr’s decision to continue relying heavily on imports is a disservice to Filipino rice farmers.”

The peasant leader further said that come the October harvest season, farmers will continue to suffer from low palay prices as imported rice floods the market. The Makabayan senatorial candidate also expressed distrust over the government’s assurances that rice prices will decrease by 2025.

“We will mount protests in the coming days and weeks to assert genuine land reform as the real solution to the perpetual rice crisis,” Ramos concluded.