Farmer assistance: Solon seeks to appropriate P8.4-B

The P8.4 billion “emergency fund” in the form of conditional cash transfers would be distributed to farmers affected by the decreasing palay price, with each receiving P7,000.

A lawmaker at the House of Representatives has filed a bill that seeks to appropriate next year P8.4 billion for farmers affected by falling palay prices.

House Ways and Means panel Chair Joey Saceda, in House Bill 5669 filed on 27 November, said while the entry of record volume rice imports has resulted to a steep decline in the buying price of palay, the high cost of production is also a major factor in the loss of income.

“The Rice Tariffication Law is designed to utilize revenues derived from tariffs on rice imports to fund programs that will harmonize rice farming and address other factors that make palay farming costly.”

“However, these programs have gestation periods that go beyond a single cropping season. Meantime, we face the possibility of farmers moving out of rice farming,” Salceda said.

Under the proposed measure, the P8.4 billion “emergency fund” in the form of conditional cash transfers would be distributed to farmers affected by the falling palay price, with each one receiving P7,000.

Priority would be given to farmers from major rice producing provinces, specifically areas where palay prices plunged way below P17 per kilo and farmers who cultivate lands two hectares and below.

“Passing the bill is most urgent. But admittedly, this short-term intervention will all come to naught if we fail to unite and support our rice farmers, help them increase their productivity and competitiveness and take our national and local agriculture officials to task in implementing our food security programs,” the bill stated.

Under the proposed measure, the amount shall be released by the Department of Budget and Management to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The agency, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, shall issue the guidelines necessary for the proper deployment of the cash transfer program.

The appropriation shall be available from the date of the effectivity of the Act until fully spent.

Several bills that seek to aid farmers affected by the plummeting price of palay have been filed at the House. Among the proposed measures include that of Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman which seeks to exempt from taxes fertilizers and pesticides used in rice production.