Farmer-leader Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos has called on Senator-elect Kiko Pangilinan to champion a long-overdue legislative correction: the repeal of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Liberalization Law (RLL), and the enactment of the proposed Rice Industry Development Act (RIDA).

“RA 11203 has failed both farmers and consumers. It brought in an influx of cheap imported rice, drove down palay farmgate prices, and steadily eroded the country’s local rice industry,” Ramos said. “The promised benefits—lower retail prices and improved competitiveness—never materialized. Farmers continue to suffer losses, while consumers still face volatile and rising prices. More than six years since its enactment, RLL has clearly failed in delivering on its promises.”

“Naging mas malubha pa ang krisis sa bigas mula nang ipatupad ang Rice Liberalization, at alam din ito ni Senator Kiko,” Ramos added.

Citing research by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Ramos noted that palay production has stagnated. From 2018 to 2024, the total area harvested fell by 200,000 hectares, while production volume remained stuck at 19.1 million metric tons. Farmer productivity has seen no significant increase, holding at just over 4 metric tons per hectare.

Even more alarming is the sharp decline in farmer incomes. The average net income per hectare plunged by Php6,268 between 2018 and 2023. In 2018, farmers earned Php8.40 per kilo of palay—now, they receive only Php6.50. “Ang karaniwang kita na Php10,836 bawat ektarya noong 2022 ay pinakamababa na mula 2007,” Ramos said, citing the group’s findings—underscoring the deepening rural poverty crisis.

As the government weakened the National Food Authority (NFA) and opened rice importation to private traders, the latter gained greater control over supply and pricing. From 2019 to 2024, traders’ share in rice stocks rose to 41%, while the NFA’s share plummeted to just 10%. State capacity to stabilize prices collapsed, even as farmgate prices for palay remained stagnant at Php18.40 per kilo, while wholesale and retail prices surged. In 2023, farmers received just 15% of the average retail price of Php42.80 per kilo, while traders took more than half.

Meanwhile, rice importation ballooned. From 2 million metric tons in 2018, imports rose to nearly 4.8 million metric tons in 2024—even as the number of importers shrank from 217 to 154. Importation became more concentrated, with the top 10 companies controlling 40% of total imports. “This reflects a clear consolidation of power and profit among a few private entities at the expense of producers,” Ramos said. The Philippines is expected to remain the world’s top rice importer in 2026.

“It is high time to repeal the Rice Liberalization Law—authored by former Senator Cynthia Villar, signed by Rodrigo Duterte, and continued by President Marcos Jr. The law, which promised cheaper rice, only worsened food insecurity,” Ramos said.

He stressed that the country’s rice import dependency soared from 14% in 2018 to 23% in 2022. The RTL’s impacts rippled across the rural economy. Over 6,000 rice mills shut down in 2019 alone. Between 2012 and 2022, more than 1,000 barangays lost their milling facilities. Hunger and unemployment worsened—self-rated food poverty peaked at 44% in 2024, the highest since 2003.

“We urge Senator-elect Kiko to study and support the Rice Industry Development Act (RIDA), which is pending in the House of Representatives but has no counterpart bill in the Senate,” Ramos said.

RIDA offers a strategic alternative to failed DA and Malacañang experiments—such as the elusive promise of Php20-per-kilo rice. The proposed law calls for an initial public investment of Php185 billion over three years, followed by Php27 billion annually. It aims to rebuild the country’s rice self-sufficiency through state support in production, price regulation, local procurement, and post-harvest infrastructure—all of which were undermined by RTL.

“We believe Senator Pangilinan, with his long-standing support for farmers and agriculture, is well-positioned to lead this legislative effort,” Ramos said. “We urge him to spearhead the repeal of RTL and champion the passage of RIDA, in close consultation with farmers’ organizations and rural stakeholders.”

Ramos concluded: “The rice crisis will not be resolved through unbridled importation and liberalisation. The solution lies in genuine land reform, national industrialisation, and policies that put farmers and food security at the centre.”