Report exploitative middlemen, Palace urges farmers
AS some reports say that middlemen are now becoming more vicious in abusing rice farmers and taking advantage of the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, Malacañang on Thursday urged farmers to report erring traders, saying such actions constitute economic sabotage.
Photo courtesy of Ibon Foundation
The days of abusive middlemen are now numbered as Malacañang Palace has urged farmers to report them to the proper government agencies if they are taking advantage of the P20 rice program of the administration.
The call came as some farmers are allegedly feeling the brunt of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” rice program of the Marcos administration because some middlemen are buying their palay for as low as P8 per kilo.
“Some traders are using the program for them to buy the palay at a lower cost. The DA and the NFA said they are buying more palay that would not affect the price set by the farmers,” said Undersecretary Claire Castro, the spokesperson of the Marcos administration.
With this, Castro said abused farmers could directly report to the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Justice to stop these abusive middlemen.
“They (middlemen) cannot use the P20 rice program to exploit farmers. That’s economic sabotage. To our farmers, don’t be afraid. Gather and complete your list of evidence to sue these erring middlemen. Do not even think twice to report it to us authorities,” she said.
Bills to support cheap rice filed
Meanwhile, Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said two bills were filed at the House of Representatives to back the P20 per kilo rice of the government.
In a statement, he said House Bills No. 1 and 14, or the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act and the bill seeking to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), would assist the administration’s food security program.
“We know that rice is the staple food for each household. That’s why the P20 per kilogram of rice is not just a price, it is a line of hope for Filipino families. The President is showing true leadership by making this vision come to life. And in Congress, we will do our part to make sure it stays. We would not succeed in this program if we did not strengthen the capability of our farmers. They are the backbone of our food supply. They deserve our full support,” he added.