Marcos eyes rice floor price to boost farmers’ income

With Mayon Volcano providing a stunning backdrop, farmers harvest organic rice at Barangay Pawa in Legazpi City, Albay, in this photo taken in November 2019. (Photo from MARK ALVIC ESPLANA)

SAN ILDEFONSO, Bulacan — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday told farmers that the government is studying the implementation of a floor price for rice.

This action is meant to enable farmers to earn some income and prepare them for the next planting season.

He made this statement during a brief dialogue with farmers from various parts of Bulacan.

He talked with them before inspecting two warehouses in Barangay Malipampan in San Ildefonso town.

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“Yes, we are studying it. We are imitating [it]… because, like tobacco there in Ilocos, there is a floor price. So it will never go below the floor price,” Marcos told the planters.

“So, we are studying to establish a floor price so that no one loses,” he added.

“Because when the price is too volatile, we can’t plan well. Maybe you, too. Your experience is the same,” the President pointed out.

Moreover, Marcos emphasized the benefits of the increased price for fresh and dried palay (unhusked rice), which took effect in February.

The government is buying fresh palay and dried palay at P19 and P24 per kilo.

On the other hand, traders buy these commodities at P13 and P14 per kilo.

“At least at P19 and then P24, you’ll be able to recover a bit. You’ll be able to recover. You’ll be ready for the next planting season,” Marcos said.

Before the inspection of warehouses, Marcos also visited Metro Pacific Fresh Farms — the Philippines’ first and largest greenhouse facility, located in Barangay Salapungan in San Rafael.

These greenhouses, spanning a total of 3.5 hectares, aim to transform local vegetable production through innovative and technology-driven farming./apl/abc