Farmers in the Ilocos region are reeling from a sharp surge in irrigation expenses as repeated oil price hikes in the past weeks push production costs to unsustainable levels. Recent data show that water pumping costs for key crops in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union have more than doubled, severely cutting into already meager farm incomes.

Based on estimates presented by KMP’s chapter in Ilocos, STOP Exploitation, tobacco farmers face an overwhelming increase in irrigation expense from Php7,488 to Php13,620 per hectare. Corn and garlic growers saw costs jump from Php2,304 to Php4,080, while onion farmers now pay Php2,040 from Php1,152. Rice farmers were also hit hard, with irrigation costs climbing from Php2,880 to Php5,100 per hectare. They use gasoline and diesel for water pumps. In Batac, Ilocos Norte, the President’s hometown, diesel prices are now at Php130/L.

Fuel prices had been rising since January, but mega increases began on March 10, over a week after the US bombed Iran on Feb. 28. By March 17 to 23, total hikes reached up to P16.60 per liter for gasoline and P23.90 for diesel. Diesel prices may reach P140 per liter according to the Department of Energy.

“These increases are staggering and unjust,” said KMP. “Farmers and other producers are being crushed by rising oil prices, which directly impact irrigation and overall production costs. Without immediate and significant government intervention, many small farmers risk falling deeper into debt or forced out of farming altogether.”

KMP reiterated its call for urgent and sufficient subsidies for fuel and agricultural production, as well as decisive actions to control oil prices, suspend VAT and excise taxes on oil. ###