The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) strongly condemns the worsening crisis faced by Filipino rice farmers due to the relentless drop in palay prices, which has reportedly driven three Nueva Ecija farmers to take their own lives. This tragic loss underscores the devastating impact of the Rice Liberalization Law (Republic Act 11203) and the rampant land conversion in Central Luzon — the country’s rice granary. Since the implementation of the Rice Liberalization Law in 2019, local farmers have been forced to compete with the influx of cheap imported rice, which has drastically lowered farmgate prices of palay. Currently, farmers in Nueva Ecija are forced to sell their palay at P15 per kilogram or even lower — a price that barely covers the cost of production and leaves farmers with no means to support their families or pay off mounting debts.

According to Danilo Ramos, chairperson of KMP and Makabayan senatorial candidate, “The Rice Liberalization Law is a death sentence for Filipino farmers. Simula nang ipatupad ang RTL, mas lalong nalugmok sa kahirapan ang mga magsasaka. Bumagsak ang presyo ng palay at tumaas lalo ang presyo ng bigas. Paano mabubuhay ang magsasaka kung ang presyo ng palay ay mas mababa pa sa gastos sa produksyon?”

Ramos further stressed that the government’s prioritization of rice imports over local production has made it impossible for farmers to recover from losses. “Nagiging alipin ng utang ang mga magsasaka dahil sa patuloy na pagbagsak ng presyo ng palay. Ang mga rice millers at traders ay nagsasamantala sa kahinaan ng presyo ng palay — binibili nila ito sa pinakamababang halaga habang ang gobyerno ay nananatiling walang ginagawa.”

Based on KMP’s monitoring since 2nd week of March, plunging palay prices range from P12 to Ph17 per kilo depending on the location. “Pabagsak talaga ang presyo ng palay dahil sa pambabarat ng mga traders at sa napakalaking volume ng palay at bigas na nakaimbak pa mga bodega kahit malapit na ang anihan,” Ramos said

Former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary and KMP chairperson emeritus Rafael Mariano also criticized the long-standing impact of the Rice Liberalization Law, stating that it has dismantled the country’s capacity for rice self-sufficiency. “Sinakripisyo ng gobyerno ang seguridad sa pagkain ng bansa kapalit ng murang imported na bigas. Ang resulta — lugi ang mga magsasaka, nawawalan ng kita, at nagugutom ang kanilang mga pamilya.” (The government sacrificed the country’s food security in exchange for cheap imported rice. The result — farmers are losing income, going hungry, and being driven to bankruptcy.)

Rampant land conversion worsening the crisis

Aside from the destructive effects of the Rice Liberalization Law, the rapid and widespread land conversion in Central Luzon has further worsened the plight of rice farmers. Farmlands in Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces are being converted into subdivisions, industrial zones, and commercial establishments, stripping farmers of their productive agricultural lands.

“Sa halip na suportahan ang produksyon ng palay at bigas, pinapayagan ng gobyerno ang walang habas na pagbebenta ng mga sakahan para sa land conversion. Ang dating mga palayan ay nagiging subdibisyon at commercial complex. Paano pa makakapagtanim at mabubuhay ang mga magsasaka kung nawawala na mismo ang kanilang mga lupang sakahan?” Ramos lamented. (Instead of supporting rice production, the government allows the unrestrained sale of farmland for land conversion. Farmlands are being turned into subdivisions and commercial complexes. How can farmers survive if they are losing their lands?)

The impact of land conversion is stark. Central Luzon, once a stronghold of rice production, is now rapidly losing its agricultural capacity due to the rise of industrial and commercial projects. Mariano pointed out that this is a deliberate betrayal of the country’s food security:

“Ang kalagayan ng mga magsasaka ay sinasalamin ng kapabayaan ng gobyerno. Walang malinaw na polisiya para sa proteksyon ng lupang sakahan. Habang nakikinabang ang mga malalaking developer at korporasyon, patuloy na nagugutom at namamatay ang ating mga magsasaka.” (The farmers’ situation reflects the government’s neglect. There is no clear policy to protect farmlands. While large developers and corporations benefit, our farmers continue to starve and suffer.)

Support for farmers’ protest and call to repeal the Rice Liberalization Law

KMP fully supports the ongoing protest of Nueva Ecija farmers led by the Federation of Free Farmers today, March 22 at the Quezon Bypass Road, where thousands are are expected to join in solidarity. The farmers are demanding the repeal of the Rice Liberalization Law, higher farmgate prices for palay, and a moratorium on land conversion.

“There is no other solution but to repeal the Rice Liberalization Law and provide genuine support to local farmers. The government must prioritize local rice production and raise the buying price of palay to ensure that farmers can make a decent living. Without these changes, the suffering of Filipino farmers will only deepen,” Ramos asserted.

The group is also calling for the reinstatement of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) power to directly procure palay from farmers at higher and fairer rates. Restoring the NFA’s mandate will help stabilize prices and shield farmers from the manipulative practices of rice millers and traders.

“Hindi na sapat ang pagtaas ng buying price ng NFA. Kailangan ng gobyerno na ibalik ang kontrol sa industriya ng bigas at tiyaking hindi maiiwan ang mga magsasaka. Dapat itigil ang pag-import ng bigas upang mapanatili ang patas na presyo ng palay sa merkado,” Ramos stated.

Next week, Central Luzon farmers led by the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) will protest at the DAR to amplify their call to Save the Rice Granary and oppose land use conversion. ###