Lawmakers castigate DA for reliance on rice imports amid supply shortage

August 12, 2024 , 11:17 PM

By Rodolfo Dacleson II

(August 12, 2024) – Two lawmakers criticized the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday for its perceived overreliance on importation to address the rice shortage in the Philippines.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro and Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee questioned the DA for importing four million metric tons (MT) of rice this year.

“Tuwing magkukulang (ang supply), importation,” lamented Castro during the deliberation of the 2025 national budget. “Lumang tugtugin na ‘yun ang magso-solve sa problema natin.”

Last June, a report by the United States estimated that the Philippines’ rice imports would reach 4.6 million MT this year—27% higher than the 3.6 million MT in 2023. It also posited that the Philippines would become the world’s biggest rice importer for the second consecutive year.

“Siguro hindi na dapat DA (ang tawag), DI na lang. Department of Importation na lang,” added Lee.

In response, DA secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel explained that El Niño significantly affected rice production. He also said the growing population led to increased demands.

“We’re trying our best to not only increase production due to better seeds technology,” said Laurel. “Binabago din namin ‘yung ating planting calendar with NIA (National Irrigation Administration).”

Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 62 to reduce the tariff on imported rice and other agricultural products by 35% from 15%, hoping the move would cut down rice prices.

ALSO READ: Reduced rice tariff to cut rice prices by P6 to P7, claims DA

Marcos vowed to improve agricultural productivity to avoid dependence on importation. He inked a five-year rice importation deal with Vietnam in January.

During his State of the Nation Address last month, Marcos touted the 20 million MT of rice produced last year.

ALSO READ: Marcos admits Filipinos remain challenged by high food prices

Marcos boldly stated during his presidential campaign that he would reduce rice prices to only P20 per kilo. His agricultural officials, however, deemed it not feasible.

Laurel, meanwhile, requested an additional budget for the DA. The Department of Budget and Management only granted P200 billion out of the proposed P513 billion by the DA for next year.

“Are we even serious here? How do we bring down the prices of goods and commodities if we don’t allocate enough funding for the agriculture sector?” said Lee in a statement.

(With reports from Marianne Enriquez, News5)

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