As an urgent response to the sharp decline in palay gate prices during the peak of the harvest season, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) convened top national leaders and key stakeholders in a special caucus to provide immediate and concrete support to Filipino rice farmers.

Held at the DAR Central Office, the caucus brought together major government officials in a united effort to safeguard the livelihood of palay farmers. Among those in attendance were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Larry Lacson, House Committee on Agriculture Chair Rep. Mark Enverga, House Agrarian Reform Committee Chairperson Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform Chair Sen. Francisco “Kiko” Pangilinan, other members of Congress, and local government executives from rice-producing provinces.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III emphasized the need for collective action across all sectors.

“Our palay farmers are the backbone of our food security. This caucus is not just a meeting — it is a call to action. We are appealing to all national government agencies, including Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), to rally behind our farmers and directly procure their produced rice,” Estrella said.

The caucus followed an initial meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last week, where officials raised the plight of palay farmers and discussed possible interventions. The group announced that it would formally submit a recommendation to the President urging him to issue a policy directive requiring all government institutions, including GOCCs, to procure locally produced rice.

The proposed directive seeks to create immediate demand for local palay harvests, stabilize prices, and ensure government-led support for the agricultural sector.

House Speaker Dy affirmed full legislative backing for emergency measures to protect farmers.

“We must protect the dignity of our farmers. We will continue to push for policies and budget support that ensure fair farmgate prices and national food security,” Dy said.

Sen. Pangilinan added that “the caucus is geared towards policy announcement for the national government agencies (NGAs), GOCCs, and LGUs to only purchase rice that are locally produced.”

The caucus also identified short-term strategies to stabilize palay prices, including bulk procurement by government agencies and institutional buyers, mobilization of post-harvest facilities, and coordination with the NFA to strengthen its buying capacity.

Also present were Gov. Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua of Quirino, president of the Governors League of the Philippines; Gov. Rodito Albano of Isabela; and Mayor Inno Dy of Echague, Isabela, president of the Mayors League of the Philippines.

This unified front underscores the government’s commitment to uplifting the agriculture sector, ensuring that no farmer is left behind, and recognizing the vital role of farmers in maintaining national food security.