Farmers under the Nagkakaisang Magbubukid ng Malolos (NMM) and Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB) picketed at the National Food Authority (NFA) in Malolos City to demand immediate government assistance as rising fuel costs and the looming El Niño threaten their livelihoods and the country’s food supply. The protest action is part of the continuing Protestang Bayan laban sa Gera at Kahirapan leading to a bigger mass mobilization on Labor Day.

Farmers criticized the government’s tokenistic measures such as the expanded Benteng Bigas Meron na program and the proposed price caps while failing to address the surging cost of rice production brought about by the fuel crisis. They said the focus on Bente Bigas is limited, unsustainable and comes at the expense of local producers who are bearing the full burden of rising fuel, staggering fertilizer prices, irrigation, and transport costs.

Marcelo, a rice farmer and tricycle driver from Malolos City from NMM, said farmers only received fuel assistance from the local government after persistent dialogues and collective action. He added that rice farmers in their area have yet to receive any form of support from the DA.

Farmers said the continuing surge in fuel prices has sharply driven up the cost of irrigation, land preparation, harvesting, and transport, leaving small producers in financial distress. This comes as forecasts of an intensifying El Niño raise fears of drought, reduced harvests, and water shortages in key agricultural areas.

“Ang panawagan ng mga magsasaka, masuportahan ang produksyon at mabili ang ani nilang palay sa darating na anihan. Hindi sapat ang mga anunsyo ng gobyerno. Kahit inanunsyo ng NFA na Php30 kada kilo ng palay, kakaunting magsasaka pa rin ang nabibilhan ng palay dahil sa mabagal at limitadong procurement,” according to KMP leader Ronnie Manalo.

Farmers also questioned government claims of “stable rice supply,” pointing out that such assurances rely heavily on imports while local production continues to dwindle due to high input costs and lack of support. They warned that without decisive and urgent intervention, the country’s rice supply will become even more dependent on imports, especially as El Niño threatens domestic output.

The groups said the announced increase in NFA palay buying prices and fuel subsidies remain insufficient and inaccessible to most farmers, with procurement covering only a small portion of harvests and aid failing to keep pace with rising costs.

The action aims to call attention to what farmers describe as the government’s failure to provide timely and adequate production support, ensure fair farmgate prices, and prepare the sector for the combined impacts of the fuel crisis and El Niño. As a result of several weeks of oil price hikes, many farmers were forced to stop planting, further endangering local food supply.

During the protest, farmer-leaders delivered statements and presented their demands to the NFA and DA, including the immediate and unconditional release of fuel subsidies and production support, expanded and accessible NFA procurement at fair prices, and comprehensive assistance to mitigate the impacts of the fuel crisis. ###