Bro. Eddie Questions Government's Rice Exports Plan

Bangon Pilipinas lone senatorial candidate Eddie Villanueva on Wednesday questioned the government’s plans to export up to 100 metric tons of rice this year.

The government should prioritize the country’s goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency before establishing a footing as a rice exporter, Villanueva said. “There seems to be a disconnect here. While the country has yet to achieve the objective of producing enough rice to supply our local requirements, the government is already moving toward exporting rice.”

Villanueva posted his opposition as he also expressed concern over the capability of government to ensure rice sufficiency in resettlement areas in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi with more Filipinos from Sabah coming back to the Philippines as a result of the Sabah situation.

“If half of the 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah returns, can we feed all of them?,” he said. “What contingency plans are in place to ensure that not only prices of food in the areas remain stable, but more importantly there is enough supply to go around?”

Earlier, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and National Rice Program coordinator Dante Delima said the Philippines plans to export 50MT to 100 MT of premium rice to Hong Kong, Macau, and Europe this year.

Villanueva noted that instead of focusing on rice exports, the government should review its policies on the importation of agricultural products and other trade commitments to ensure that the country’s farmers are protected from unfair global trade.

“The government should review its plans to increase rice exports because it is a fact that we are not yet self-sufficient. Before we feed other countries, let's ensure that we feed our fellow Filipinos first with good, quality rice,” Villanueva said.

“This goes not only for our rice production but for our overall local food production.”

Accelerate food security goals
To meet the country’s food security goals, Villanueva said the government should consider providing subsidy for farm implements, lifting tariff and customs fees for farm equipment and machineries, and extending other funding assistance for farmers and farmers’ cooperatives.

He said the government should also consider combining the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Reform – a move that will improve the government’s focus and enhance harmony of government programs in ensuring social justice and agricultural productivity.

“Real progress in our agricultural sector will have a direct impact in alleviating the lives of the sagigilid, considering that majority of our population – including many poor Filipino households – belong to this sector,” Villanueva said.