The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) strongly condemns President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “irresponsible and detached” statement that the Iran-Israel conflict has “no significant impact” on the Philippine economy. The group said the President’s statement is not only misleading, it is an insult to the millions of Filipinos, especially workers, farmers, and consumers already suffering from the impact of relentless oil price hikes. KMP said the non-stop oil price hikes lead to spiraling production costs, and overall increase in cost of food stuff and commodities.

While President Marcos speaks from the comfort of Malacañang, farmers reel from the effects of successive fuel price increases that have long preceded this most recent global crisis. Diesel, used in nearly every stage of food production and transport, has increased by over Php8.50 per liter in the past month alone. These hikes translate to higher costs in land preparation, irrigation, hauling, and delivery of agri products — directly slashing farm incomes already stuck at poverty levels. Based on KMP’s initial computation, farmers now spend an average of Php1,300 per hectare more just for diesel per cropping cycle compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, fertilizer prices remain volatile, still averaging Php2,300 to Php2,700 per 50-kilogram bag of urea in major agricultural provinces. Transportation of goods to markets has likewise become more expensive, with small-scale producers absorbing the losses due to higher fuel surcharges, while middlemen and traders take bigger cuts from farm gate prices.

Ronnie Manalo, KMP secretary general, blasted the President’s remarks: “Nasa sariling mundo nya si Pangulong Marcos Jr. Hindi niya nararanasan at wala siyang pakialam sa epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis. Para sabihin niya na walang signipikanteng epekto ang gyera ng Iran at Israel sa mga Pilipino ay patunay na hindi nakalapat sa lupa ang mga paa ng Pangulo.

The Marcos regime’s failure to acknowledge the ripple effects of global conflicts, especially on the oil and fertilizer sectors, exposes its lack of foresight and absence of genuine concern for food producers and consumers.

The government must rein in the unlimited greed for profits of oil companies, implement fuel and fertilizer subsidies for farmers, fishers and transport workers and repeal the Oil Deregulation Law that allows unregulated profiteering by oil companies, and take urgent steps to ensure that food production and food prices remains viable amidst escalating international instability.

KMP strongly support calls to suspend/remove the excise tax and Value Added Tax on oil products to immediately bring down the oil prices. ###