The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) joined peasant women, farmers, and poor consumers in a protest action at the House of Representatives today, slamming House Bill No. 1 or the so-called Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment Act (RICE) authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez. The groups assailed the bill as nothing more than a smokescreen that protects the Republic Act 11203 Rice Liberalization Law (RLL) and evades its direct accountability for the worsening rice crisis.

“Ang tunay na ugat ng krisis sa bigas ay ang RA 11203 o Rice Liberalization Law. Habang nananatili ito, lalong magiging bulnerable ang mga magsasaka at konsumer sa pananamantala ng mga malalaking landlord, negosyante, at importer,” said KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos. “Hindi puwedeng palusutin ang panukalang batas na ito na para bang tutulong daw sa NFA at konsumer, pero hindi naman binabasag ang mismong neoliberal na polisiya na sumira sa ating lokal na industriya ng bigas.”

The groups emphasized that the Romualdez bill fails to guarantee production subsidies, stronger land tenure, and significant expansion of NFA procurement from local farmers. Instead, the proposed “floor price” of palay remains inadequate, while the control of rice supply is still firmly in the hands of big landlords and private traders.

“Pinakita na ng administrasyong Marcos Jr. ngayong taon ang mga gimik tulad ng Kadiwa, EO 62 on tariff cuts, ‘Sulit’ and ‘Nutri Rice,’ and the BBM Benteng Bigas program. Lahat ng ito ay patunay na bangkarote na ang Rice Liberalization Law at nakapako ang ating food security sa mga importer at trader,” Ramos added. “Pati ang paghain ng iba’t ibang kongresista at pag-iimbestiga ng senado at kongreso sa mataas na presyo ng bigas ay pag-amin na ng estado mismo sa kabulukan ng RLL”.

The peasant groups also condemned recent RLL amendments under RA 12078, which reduced NFA buffer stock days from 15 to just 9, and institutionalized mechanisms that funnel government rice stocks into private traders’ hands. They said this further weakens the NFA’s capacity to stabilize prices and ensure affordable rice for consumers.

KMP reiterated its call for the repeal of RA 11203 and the passage of the House Bill No. 578 Rice Industry Development Act (RIDA): a measure made by farmers themselves, which ensures production subsidies, secure land tenure, and expanded NFA procurement up to at least 20% of palay output.

“Ang solusyon sa krisis sa bigas ay hindi ang palamuti o pekeng reporma, kundi ang pagbabasura ng Rice Liberalization Law at ang pagpapatupad ng tunay na programang makikinabang ang mga magsasaka at konsyumer,” Ramos concluded. “Sa pamamagitan ng RIDA at sa pagsusulong ng tunay na reporma sa lupa, tiyak na makakamit natin ang food self-sufficiency at abot-kayang presyo ng bigas para sa lahat.” ###