MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the 60-day rice importation ban announced by Malacañang will provide temporary relief for farmers but stressed that the measure is insufficient to secure the country’s food supply.

“Yung 60-day ban is good as a stop gap measure, but it is not enough. Why are we suspending the entry of imports? Dahil anihan na beginning October, November, December,” Pangilinan said, noting the expected drop in palay prices during harvest season due to import arrivals.

He warned that heavy reliance on imported rice leaves the country vulnerable. “We cannot be dependent on imports because kung biglang tumaas yan, food security ang challenge. Kung mataas ang supply, mataas ang presyo ng bigas at pag mataas ang presyo ng bigas, ang kapalit nyan ay gutom sa milyon-milyon nating kababayan,” he said during an open forum with student leaders in Tuguegarao City.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, said he will push for a ₱100-billion increase in the Department of Agriculture’s budget over six years, bringing it to about ₱800 billion. He is set to deliver a privilege speech at 3 p.m. today on the state of the country’s agriculture sector.

Pangilinan cited wide gaps in agricultural spending compared to neighboring countries. He noted Taiwan spends $600 billion annually for its 23 million people, while the Philippines allocates only $4 billion a year for its 120 million population. Thailand spends twice and Vietnam three times more than the Philippines despite having smaller populations.

He said additional funds should go to farmer organization, credit access, financial literacy programs, post-harvest facilities, machinery, and aid for pesticides, fertilizers, and crude.

“Kaya talaga ang pinaka-weakest link sa agriculture supply is the farmer and therefore if the farmer is the weakest link then the farmer must have the biggest support to be able to strengthen the farmers and fisherfolk, and that’s what we’re going to work on,” Pangilinan said.

“In the next six years, yan ang ipaglalaban natin. Tiyaking hindi ninanakaw ang pondo. Hindi lang correct spending, tiyaking walang corrupt spending,” he added.