Former food security czar and senatorial hopeful Kiko Pangilinan has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program, warning that the initiative could fall short unless rice farmers receive the necessary support to increase their productivity.
While Pangilinan acknowledged the positive intent of the Department of Agriculture’s pilot run of the P20-per-kilo rice in Visayas — with plans for nationwide implementation until 2028 — he pointed out the bigger issue lies in the lack of government aid for local farmers.
“Obviously, hindi marami ang makikinabang diyan,” he said in a GMA News Online report. “Ang susi pa rin diyan eventually is paano ‘yung papalawigin ‘yung ani ng ating mga farmers, para magkaroon ng sapat na supply.”
Pangilinan, who served as food security czar from 2014 to 2015, argued that lower rice prices are desirable, but the current target of P20 per kilo may not be viable in the long term. “Lower rice prices will be workable in the long run, pero baka hindi sustainable ‘yung P20 per kilo. Maybe a little higher,” he said, suggesting prices closer to P30 to P45 per kilo would still significantly benefit consumers.
He also called for direct government procurement from farmers at competitive rates to cut out price-manipulating middlemen. “If you buy from the farmers at the right prices, you get rid of middlemen who rig the prices,” he said, adding that this strategy could be cost-effective for the government as well.
Pangilinan further urged the administration to clamp down on exploitative traders, warning that their actions amount to economic sabotage. “Sampahan natin ng kaso, para matakot, maturuan ng leksyon. Remember, economic sabotage is non-bailable,” he said.
