Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 14) — Several agricultural groups called for the “removal” of the Marcos administration’s top economic managers from the Cabinet amid their proposal to temporarily reduce or scrap tariffs on imported rice—a move they see as a “death sentence” for Filipino farmers.
In a statement issued Friday, the groups lambasted Department of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan for their “brazenness to hold a sham public consultation,” just a week after filing a petition to ease rice tariffs.
The groups are Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), Philippine Confederation of Grains Associations (PHILCONGRAINS), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Pambansang Mannalon, Mag-uuma, Magbabaul, Magsasaka ng Pilipinas (P4MP), and National Movement for Food Sovereignty (NMFS).
Last week, Diokno bared his agency’s proposal to impose zero tariffs on rice imports as the local market suffers from surging prices.
READ: DOF proposes zero tariff on rice imports to curb grain prices
This development, the groups said, has given the sector “a renewed impetus and motivation to unite in the face of the biggest adversity confronting our local producers in recent years.”
“Today, we stand together to oppose, in the strongest terms, the efforts of Secretaries Diokno and Balisacan to serve the death sentence on rice farmers and other industry stakeholders by cutting or eliminating tariffs – our last refuge,” they added.
The groups also said that as this threatens local producers, the implementation of such a move would mean higher profits for importers “in the guise of taming inflation.”
They also noted that slashing tariff rates would not benefit the poor, claiming that as much as 85% of imports are premium-grade rice targeted for well-off buyers.
They also cited the recent statement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr against relying on importation.
“What we need right now is to reassert our capacity to produce for our own agriculture and food needs, and to vigorously push for food self-sufficiency as we can never rely on the vagaries of the international market,” the groups added.
The agri groups likewise highlighted the “reckless public statement” of Diokno and Balisacan on being not consulted on the imposition of a rice price cap, stressing they gave Marcos “a bad name.”
READ: Economic team ‘surprised’ by rice price cap – Diokno
The joint statement also hit Diokno for backing calls to make Balisacan the agriculture chief.
“In view of the foregoing, we demand no less than the removal of Messrs. Diokno and Balisacan from the Cabinet!” the statement read.
Diokno and Balisacan have yet to respond when sought for comments.
