HOUSE Speaker Martin G. Romualdez welcomed the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) initiative to set the National Food Authority (NFA) rice price at P35 per kilo, saying it will help ensure food security for Filipinos.
However, alongside this positive development, Speaker Romualdez stressed that the government must also guarantee fair income for farmers to sustain local rice production.
“Ensuring that rice remains affordable is crucial for our consumers. However, we must also ensure that our farmers receive fair compensation for their hard work,” the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives stressed.
Speaker Romualdez highlighted the importance of balancing consumer needs with the welfare of farmers, saying that this is very important for the welfare of all stakeholders.
“Ang ideal na sitwasyon ay mapanatili ang mataas na farmgate price na nagbibigay ng tamang kita para sa ating mga magsasaka habang sinisiguro na ang presyo ng bigas sa merkado ay abot-kaya para sa mga mamimili,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez assured the public that Congress will monitor the implementation of this pricing strategy.
“We will closely observe how this policy unfolds and determine if additional government interventions are necessary to sustain it,” he noted.
He emphasized the potential role of subsidies and government support programs, saying, “Nakahanda ang Mababang Kapulungan na pag-aralan ang posibleng subsidiya o targeted assistance programs para matiyak na hindi malulugi ang ating mga magsasaka habang nananatiling abot-kaya ang bigas para sa publiko.”
Speaker Romualdez also called for strong coordination between the DA and NFA with lawmakers to ensure that the policy does not negatively impact local rice farmers.
“I urge the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority to work closely with Congress to ensure that this policy does not unintentionally discourage local rice production,” he said.
He reiterated the ultimate goal of these efforts, stating, “The end goal is food security – one that benefits both farmers and consumers.
“Alam natin na hindi madali ang pagsabayin ang interes ng mga magsasaka at mamimili, ngunit ito ay mahalaga para sa ating ekonomiya at seguridad sa pagkain,” he expressed.
He also pointed out the need to continuously assess the policy’s impact.
“Patuloy nating susuriin ang epekto ng patakarang ito upang masiguro na walang sektor ang napapabayaan,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez encouraged open dialogue among stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
“It’s essential that all parties involved communicate openly to address any issues that may arise,” he noted.
He further emphasized that Congress is ready to step in if adjustments are needed.
“Kung kinakailangan ng mga pagbabago sa polisiya, handa kaming magbigay ng suporta upang matiyak na ang bawat Pilipino, lalo na ang mga magsasaka, ay makikinabang sa repormang ito,” he said.
“We are committed to finding solutions that uphold the welfare of our farmers while ensuring that every Filipino has access to affordable rice.”
