Senator Pangilinan questions proposed importation of US rice

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has urged the government to further scrutinize the proposal to import rice from the United States.

Pangilinan argues that government should reduce the cost of producing rice to make it more competitive without undermining Filipino farmers’ livelihoods.

“Hindi dapat magsasaka ang sumalo ng lahat ng sakripisyo para lamang bumaba ang presyo ng bigas. Ang kailangan ay bawasan ang gastos at pagkalugi sa buong supply chain upang parehong makinabang ang nagtatanim at ang bumibili,” he said.

“Ang pangmatagalang layunin natin: may sapat na kita ang magsasaka at may abot-kayang bigas ang bawat pamilya. Dito dapat nakatuon ang pondo, programa, at pagkilos ng gobyerno,” he added.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, he questioned the practicality of importing American rice as acquisition and shipping costs would probably be high. He warned that consumers may ultimately shoulder the additional expenses.

The proposed importation stems from a memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) and USA Rice, which sets a target of 100,000 metric tons of imports in 2027 and 200,000 metric tons annually beginning in 2028.

The plan intends to help fill the gap between domestic rice production and national demand and maintain adequate supplies.

Pangilinan acknowledged the need to import rice to address production shortfall but said this should go hand in hand with efforts to make locally produced rice more competitive.

“Hindi pa sapat ang ating produksyon para sa pangangailangan ng buong bansa, kaya kailangan pa rin nating mag-angkat. Ngunit habang pinupunan natin ang kakulangan, dapat mas tutukan ng gobyerno ang pagpapababa ng gastos sa pagtatanim, pag-aani, pagpapatuyo at paggiling ng sarili nating palay,” he said.

He said reducing farmers' expenses and improving postharvest processes could increase their earnings while helping bring down retail rice prices.

The senator is set to lead next week's Senate budget hearing for the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies, where funding for measures to strengthen local rice production could be discussed.

Among his proposed priorities are investments in reliable irrigation systems, quality seeds, farm machinery, affordable credit, and accessible drying, storage, and milling facilities.

He also called for stronger farmer cooperatives, practical technical assistance, and measures to minimize postharvest losses and unnecessary transportation expenses.

Pangilinan urged the government to strongly implement the Sagip Saka Act, which he authored. The act allows national government agencies and local government units to buy agricultural and fishery products directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.

He said the law's provisions for improving market access should be complemented by measures that increase the agricultural sector's production.

The senator also pushed for the passage of pending proposals to strengthen agricultural cooperatives and return agricultural extension services to national government administration, with the aim of improving farmers' access to technical assistance and other support.