Sen. Imee Marcos criticized the reduction of tariffs on rice as a misguided concept to address the rice crisis at the 2nd National Assembly and Unification Summit of the PolPHIL Party (People’s Progressive Humanist Liberal Party).

In a press conference, Sen. Marcos criticized what he called the erratic actions of the Department of Agriculture regarding the influx of imported rice, coinciding with the reduction of the rice tariff from 35 percent to 15 percent.

Marcos was among the principal guests of honor for the second PolPHIL summit, which took place at UP Bahay Alumni on Magsaysay Avenue, University of the Philippines, Quezon City last Sunday. Other attendees at the summit were Brian Poe Llamanzares, the FPJ Panday Bayanihan party list’s first nominee, while Lejun dela Cruz, the Magsasaka Partylist’s third nominee, was unable to attend because of an unfortunate occurrence.

“How can the Filipino farmer keep up if the importation of rice continues, enriching only Vietnamese and Pakistani merchants while our Filipino farmers become impoverished because the production of grains cannot progress properly,” Marcos reminded.

It can be noted that Vietnam is the leading supplier of rice (2.61 million MT) to our country, followed by Thailand (416,185.19 MT) and Pakistan (157,564.48 MT). India sent 76,971 MT of grains.

While economic managers believe that reducing tariffs could lead to a decrease of approximately PHP5-PHP7 per kilogram of rice.

In an effort to reduce prices, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reduced import duties on rice from 35% to 15% through Executive Order 62.

She said, “Consumers are also confused by the varying measures of the DA, from the many rice prices it released, with P29 per kilo, P39, and even an SRP (suggested retail price) of P59 per kilo.”

The National Food Authority recently stated that they had aging stock and are prepared to sell it at a low price, which the senator brought up. “But that stock is very small, only 300,000 tons,” she stated.

Last year, the NFA purchased 95 percent of its 300,000 metric tons (MT) target procurement, or the equivalent of 285,000 MT of palay (unhusked rice) from local farmers under the higher pricing scheme.
Rice imports in the Philippines are expected to increase to 4.9 million MT in 2025 due to “smaller harvests” delivered by local farms.

Local farmers are at a disadvantage from the tons of rice that will be coming in this year while the farmers are just about to start harvesting. That’s why we are worried about the influx of imported rice, Marcos said.

The production of rice is usually harvested in April and May, but the exact months depend on the region and the weather.

Marcos emphasized that there are still vast irrigable lands that have not been utilized, posing a risk to rice production, especially in the face of a changing climate. Although there is funding, the slow spending by the NIA is causing delays in irrigation projects.

The PolPHIL, a new national progressive political party in the country, convened its second national assembly emphasizing its call for wider collaboration and unity in setting a goal to move beyond the politics of vengeance and embrace a new model of governance based on collaboration and public service.

Sen. Marcos paid tribute to the remarkable efforts of PolPHIL stakeholders to unite both sets of political beliefs with a common desire to advance the country for the future of generations.

Meanwhile, a group of students immediately held a picket protest outside the UP Bahay Alumni while the presscon was ongoing. Protesters said it was unacceptable for them to see the lady senator stepping foot on the campus. They vandalized the senator’s tarpaulin and other party-lists.