Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has renewed his call for the government to establish a floor price for palay, or unmilled rice, as Filipino farmers continue to suffer from persistently low buying prices even after the rice import ban took effect.
Pangilinan said that more than a month since the temporary ban on imported regular milled and well-milled rice began on September 1, 2025, farmers have yet to feel any relief.
“Mahigit isang buwan na ang rice import ban, pero patuloy pa rin ang pagdaing ng ating mga magpapalay. Mababa pa rin ang bentahan ng kanilang ani. Kulang na kulang na pambayad sa lahat ng inutang para makapagtanim. Wala pa ang sariling pangkain,” he said.
He urged the government to act decisively by setting a minimum buying price that would ensure fair compensation for farmers. “Kailangan nating magpatupad ng mga hakbang upang matulungan ang ating mga magpapalay. Isang malaking solusyon ang magtakda ng floor price para sa palay, na dapat ipatupad sa lahat ng pagbili ng gobyerno,” he added.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier directed the Department of Agriculture to coordinate with relevant agencies for the drafting of an executive order on the palay buying floor price.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has also said the government is studying whether to extend the rice import ban until the end of the year, citing the continued drop in palay prices. He added that imports may resume in January 2026 with higher tariffs but could again be suspended from February to April.
Pangilinan also underscored the importance of fully enforcing the Sagip Saka Act (Republic Act 11321), which allows government agencies and local government units to directly purchase rice and other produce from farmers and fisherfolk.
“Every year, by our estimate, tons of rice are purchased by the DSWD, DOH, and DepEd for their various programs,” he said. He noted that the Department of the Interior and Local Government alone has allocated more than ₱278 million for rice subsidies under the 2025 budget.
“If the Sagip Saka Act is properly implemented, these funds would go directly into the pockets of our rice farmers,” Pangilinan said.
