Senator Imee Marcos has raised alarm over a potential agricultural crisis as fertilizer prices surge, raising fears of supply shortages that could hit rice production and further drive up consumer prices.
“Tumataas na nga ang presyo, may posibilidad pang kapusin ang suplay. Kapag nangyari ito, babagsak ang produksyon at tataas lalo ang presyo ng bigas,” Marcos cautioned.
The senator also alleged that certain groups are positioning themselves to profit from the situation.
“Kapag may krisis, nariyan din ang mga oportunistang kumikita. Hindi na ito nagkataon lang—ginawang negosyo na!” she said.
Marcos recalled her 2023 push for biofertilizer use as a cost-saving measure to help achieve the ₱20-per-kilo rice target.
“May dalawang distributor sa Kadiwa na kayang magbenta ng ₱25/kilo na bigas noon, walang subsidya, tamang paggamit lang ng biofertilizer,” she noted.
However, she claimed resistance came from within government itself.
“May umatras sa DA at Kongreso dahil ayaw mawala ang malalaking importer ng abono na sanay sa bilyon-bilyong pondo,” Marcos said, questioning the country’s continued dependence on imported fertilizer despite local alternatives.
“May sarili tayong solusyon—bakit hindi ito pinapalakas? Anong nangyari sa biofertilizer na gawang lokal?” she added, with a sharp aside: “Import pa more.”
Sector data suggest palay prices could reach ₱17–₱20 per kilo, potentially driving rice prices to ₱55–₱60 or higher.
Marcos stressed that unless supply issues are addressed and farmers’ costs reduced, food security itself could be at risk.
“Kapag hindi inayos ang suplay at hindi binawasan ang gastos ng magsasaka, pagkain natin mismo ang malalagay sa alanganin. Palakasin ang lokal na solusyon tulad ng biofertilizer, huwag hayaang pagkakitaan ang krisis na nagpapahirap sa mga Pilipino,” she urged.