Farmers Face Hardship Amid P20 Per Kilo Rice Program
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s P20 per kilo rice program, aimed at offering affordable rice to Filipinos, is stirring controversy. According to local experts, this initiative has caused significant injustice to farmers nationwide. Teodoro Mendoza, a scientist from the University of the Philippines and Science Director at a community legal center, said the program has deeply affected farmers’ livelihoods.
“The P20 price of rice is felt, especially among the farmers. It created so much injustice for them,” Mendoza shared in a recent interview. He pointed out that while the government promotes the P20 per kilo rice program, the actual price of rice has dropped dramatically, which is devastating for farmers.
Farmers Struggle as Rice Prices Plummet
Mendoza explained that many farmers are forced to sell their palay at a mere P8 to P12 per kilo. This drastic price drop threatens their ability to sustain their farms and families. He emphasized that the program’s promise, which helped secure votes for the president, did not account for the negative impact on rice producers.
“The P20 price of rice—that was a campaign promise that many of our voters believed in. That’s one of the reasons he won – because they didn’t understand what the impact would be on the general public,” Mendoza said.
Government Efforts and Ongoing Challenges
The P20 per kilo rice program is currently available in select Kadiwa Centers across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal, as confirmed by government sources. These centers aim to provide affordable rice options to consumers, but the benefits come at the cost of farmers’ earnings.
Mendoza also criticized the Rice Tarrification Law enacted under the previous administration, which increased rice imports and further lowered the price of locally produced palay. This law, combined with the new pricing scheme, has intensified the challenges faced by Filipino rice farmers.
Despite the government’s efforts to make rice affordable, the consequences for farmers remain severe. Many local leaders and experts urge for balanced policies that protect both consumers and producers to ensure food security and fair livelihoods.
For more news and updates on rice pricing and agricultural policies, visit Filipinokami.com.
