MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros warned that soaring fertilizer prices could push farmers’ monthly income in some provinces to nearly half the minimum wage, renewing her call for a supplemental aid package for agricultural workers and other vulnerable sectors.

Hontiveros cited estimates from her office showing that farmers in areas like Central Luzon—where urea fertilizer is widely used—could earn as little as ₱7,275 per month, compared with the roughly ₱16,200 minimum wage for agricultural workers in the region.

“Rising costs and limited fertilizer supply threaten lower yields, higher food prices, and rock-bottom earnings for our farmers. I urge Malacañang and our colleagues in Congress to support our proposed ₱52.8 billion supplemental budget, which includes an initial ₱2.8 billion agricultural subsidy to help farmers buy fertilizer supplies,” she said.

The senator attributed the surge in fertilizer costs to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has raised overhead by 30 to 40 percent. She also noted that increased rice imports have driven farmgate prices down, forcing local farmers to sell at low rates.

“This means a farmer producing 120 cavans of hybrid rice per hectare may earn only ₱7,275 to ₱11,775 a month, should farmgate prices drop to ₱16–₱19 per kilo. Kulang na kulang iyan, lalo na kung may utang pa sila sa trader at lender. Sa mahal ng bilihin ngayon, talagang lugi na ang ating magsasaka at ang kanilang pamilya,” Hontiveros said.

She added that if farmers’ income falls below half of the minimum wage, many may be forced to quit farming. “The government must step in and support our farmers before our nation’s food security is put at risk,” she stressed.

Hontiveros noted that while her supplemental budget bill initially proposes a ₱2.8 billion agricultural subsidy, the total aid needed could reach ₱100–₱189 billion if the Middle East crisis persists through the May-to-August season.

“Kailangan nating palawakin ang tulong sa ating magsasaka para makaraos sila at ang buong sektor ng agrikultura mula sa oil crisis. While the Department of Agriculture has begun assistance programs, its budget for the rice industry in 2026 is only above ₱50 billion. And we can’t expect Department of Social Welfare and Development crisis funds to be spent on farm production inputs,” she said.

She concluded by urging Congress and Malacañang to act quickly to pass the supplemental budget to support farmers and other struggling Filipinos in the months ahead.