MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has called for the issuance of an executive order (EO) establishing a floor price for palay (unmilled rice) in all government purchases to ensure that farmers receive fair compensation amid declining farmgate prices.

Pangilinan said the proposed EO would align with the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act (Republic Act No. 11321) and protect farmers from losses due to low buying prices.

“Kapag ang palay ay binili ng walo hanggang sampung piso kada kilo habang ang production cost ay katorse hanggang kinse pesos, kulang ang anumang ayuda para punan ang lugi (When palay is being bought at only ₱8 to ₱10 per kilo while it costs farmers ₱14 to ₱15 to produce it, no amount of aid will make up for their losses),” Pangilinan said.

“Hindi nila kailangan ng abuloy. Kailangan nila ng patas na presyo sa bunga ng kanilang lakas… Kaya ang isa sa matagal na nating panawagan ay floor price, para pumatas naman ang laban ng mga nagpapakain sa atin (Our farmers don’t need charity. They need a fair price for the fruits of their labor… That’s why a floor price is what we have been calling for, so that the people who feed us may have a fighting chance),” the senator added.

Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, made the statement after Nueva Ecija rice farmer Danilo Bolos told a House hearing that farmers need higher buying prices for palay, not another round of cash assistance. Bolos said continuous aid programs make it appear that farmers are “beggars” instead of dignified producers.

According to Pangilinan, the issuance of an EO would demonstrate that the government is responding to the concerns of farmers.

“Ang EO ay patunay na ang gobyerno ay nakikinig sa mga alalahanin ng ating mga magsasaka, at pinahahalagahan natin ang kanilang pagsusumikap (The EO is proof that the government is listening to the concerns of our farmers, and we appreciate their hard work),” he said.

He added that the floor price would give farmers breathing space and protection from exploitative trading practices.

“Makakahinga nang konti ang ating magpapalay sa floor price. Magkakaroon ng konting proteksyon laban sa mga trader na ginagawang puhunan ang kanilang pagka-desperado. Isa ito sa maraming hakbang para umahon ang ating magpapalay mula sa isang kahig, isang tuka at magkaroon ng masaganang kita (Our rice farmers will have some breathing space with the floor price. They will have some protection from traders who capitalize on their desperation. This is one of the many steps so that our rice farmers will rise from subsistence to abundance agriculture),” he said.

Pangilinan emphasized that setting a floor price would help stabilize the market, shield farmers from exploitation, and sustain rice production, which he described as vital to achieving the country’s long-term food security.