President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the government will provide assistance to rice farmers affected by the drop in palay prices, including imposing safeguard duties on rice imports to protect local farmers.

During the “Ugnayan” with farmers following the inauguration of the Union Water Impounding Dam in Claveria, Cagayan, President Marcos said the National Food Authority (NFA) will expand its program to purchase palay at higher prices than those from traders, who prey on farmers by bringing down palay prices to as low as PhP8 per kilo.

The NFA buying price for fresh/wet palay is PhP18 to PhP19 per kilo, and PhP21 to PhP23 for clean dry palay, said President Marcos.

“Kaya’t palalawakin natin ito at maglalagay din tayo doon sa mga tinamaan sa pagbaba ng presyo ng palay, magbibigay din tayo ng direct na tulong para sa ating mga magsasaka,” the Chief Executive said.

“Mayroon tayong pinaplano, tigsa-sampung libo, ‘yung mga nalugi dahil sa pagbagsak ng bilihan ng palay,” added the President, to cheers from farmers.

President Marcos said the government will impose safeguard duties on rice imports to ensure that local rice prices will not drop, to the detriment of Filipino farmers.

“Maglalagay tayo ng safeguard duties para sa importasyon para sa pag-import ay hindi masisira naman ang presyo dito sa atin. Dahil ang nagdidikta ng presyo ng bigas ay ‘yung imported rice,” the Chief Executive said.

“Pagka mag-import lang tayo nang mag-import at hindi natin ayusin ang production ay matatamaan ang ating mga farmer. Kaya’t ‘yun ay aming binabantayan at tinitingan namin lahat ng mga farmer na nalugi dahil nga bumagsak ang presyo ng palay, ay bibigyan po natin ng tulong,” added the President.

The President committed to further enhance government support to farmers.

“Alam naman po namin na hindi naman po madali ang buhay ng ating mga magsasaka at kaya’t lahat ng suporta na kaya naming ibigay ay binibigay natin dahil patitibayin natin,” said President Marcos. | PND