It is ironic that the hands that feed a million mouth, has become the one who does not have anything to
eat because of the Rice Tarrification Law recently enacted into law by President Duterte. Such law does not only kill the farming industry but also the dreams of farmers’ children so it must be reviewed.
Rice Tarrification Law or RA 11203 was signed by President Duterte last February because of the
continuous price hike of rice in the market. With the law being signed, traders now have the liberty of importing almost unlimited supply of rice from our neighboring countries. Thus, lowering the price of rice by increasing the supply. While the law will make the price of imported rice cheaper, it has adversely affected the livelihood of our local farmers. Earlier this year, the price of rice grain has plummeted into all time low ranging from P7.00 to P10.50. This price is almost 17% to 34% lower than the previous year so many of our local farmers expressed their dismay on the law. Because of the low price, the farmers could no
longer make ends meet. What hurts more is that their debts become bigger.The efforts of our farmers are put to waste. Because of the Rice Tarrification Law, some of the local millers of the country do not patronize our local farmers anymore. Instead, they opt to just buy cheaper imported rice from other country. It is lamentable to note that we end up supporting other races instead our very own countrymen.
Low price of rice will cost higher price in other commodities. According to Senator Cynthia Villar, even
the law is in effect, the farmers will still make a profit of P5.00. With the high price of commodities now, where will P5.00 go? Senator Pangilinan on the other hand had a different view. He said RA 11203 has resulted to shortage of darak or rice bran which is used as feeds. Because of this farm and dairy products may soar in price on the days to come creating another problem for every Juan. The Rice Tarrification Law must be thoroughly reviewed because it has done more harm than good. Instead of putting the blame on the way how our heroes in the agricultural sector managed their finances. The government must extend their support. The government must pattern their programs in countries where farmers are rich just like Japan. The law may be a short term solution to increasing rice price but will turninto problem in the long run. If the farmers quality of life will not rise, then their children may not want to follow their forefathers footstep anymore. As a result, the true crisis will reveal itself and that is the lack of farmers in the country in the future.. This will be their children’s uprising because of low price of unhusked rice