Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday warned that the 60-day rice importation ban announced by Malacañang will not be enough to cut the Philippines’ deep reliance on imported rice.
The senator acknowledged that the move may temporarily protect farmers from plunging palay prices during harvest, but insisted more must be done.
“It’s good as a stop gap measure, but it is not enough,” Pangilinan said.
“Why are we suspending the entry of imports? Because it is already harvest in October, November, December.”
Pangilinan vowed to push for a ₱100-billion increase in the Department of Agriculture’s budget, bringing its allocation to about ₱800 billion in the next six years.
He stressed the glaring disparity between Philippine agricultural spending and that of its neighbors:
- Taiwan: spends $600 billion a year for its 23 million people.
- Philippines: spends only $4 billion a year for 120 million Filipinos.
- Thailand: spends double the Philippines’ agri budget for 70 million people.
- Vietnam: spends triple for its 90 million population.
Pangilinan argued that unless massive investments are made in agriculture, Filipino farmers will remain disadvantaged and the country dependent on imports.