Government policies, including price increases and the sale of aging rice, have drawn sharp criticism from progressive groups, who argued that such moves deepen the economic burdens of poor households.
In separate statements, farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women warned that the said policies will worsen the economic crisis faced by millions of households.
Recently, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has approved price increases for 63 basic goods, with adjustments ranging from 5 percent to 10 percent. Items such as canned sardines, candles, batteries, and powdered milk will see higher prices starting next month.
“Ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin ay dagdag-pasakit sa milyun-milyong mamimili, lalo na sa mga manggagawa at magsasaka na kulang na ang kinakain dahil sa kakarampot na sahod at kita. Sa halip na pumanig sa mamamayan, mas pinapaboran ng DTI ang malalaking negosyante (The increase in the prices of essential goods adds to the burden of millions of consumers, especially workers and farmers who are already struggling to meet their basic needs due to meager wages and income. Instead of siding with the people, the DTI favors big businesses),” Danilo Ramos, chairperson of KMP, said.
The move, according to the KMP, comes as inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of ordinary Filipinos.
Per the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the price of rice has risen to ₱52 ₱61 per kilo, while vegetables such as tomatoes have skyrocketed from ₱65 to ₱213 per kilo in the last year.
As such, electricity and water costs are also straining household budgets, with utility rates reaching as high as ₱140 per cubic meter in some urban poor communities. Oil prices remain volatile, further burdening Filipino consumers.
‘Token’ rice sale sparks outrage
The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) plan to sell 300,000 metric tons of aging rice at ₱36 per kilo has also drawn ire from farmers and peasant groups. The groups said the rice, limited to five kilos per family, is being touted by the government as part of its food security efforts.
Amihan Secretary General Cathy Estavillo dismissed the move of the DA as performative.
“Ang dineklara nilang food emergency ay tokenism lang dahil nananatili ang Rice Liberalization Law. Ito ang pinakaugat ng krisis at sila mismo ang promotor dito (Their declared food emergency is merely tokenism because the Rice Liberalization Law remains in place. This law is the root cause of the crisis, and they themselves are its proponents),” she said.
Estavillo noted that the rice supply would only last two to three days and would not reach the broader population.
“Dalhin na lang nila sa mga palengke at gawin ₱25 kada kilo ang presyo ng bigas. Hindi dapat aging rice ang ibenta (They should bring it to the markets and set the price of rice at ₱25 per kilo. It should not be aging rice being sold),” she said.
The groups emphasized that the continued dependence of the Philippines on rice imports, which reached 4.78 million metric tons in 2024, and price manipulation by large private traders, importers, and smugglers, further undermine the local rice industry.
As of December 31, 2024, the DA reported that the Philippines imported 4.78 million metric tons (MT) of rice, marking a nearly 30 percent increase from the 3.61 million MT imported in 2023.
Calls for reform
Both KMP and Amihan reiterated their demand to repeal the Rice Liberalization Law and Executive Order No. 62, which they claim are the root causes of the country’s rice crisis.
Instead, they called for stronger support for local farmers and producers to achieve rice self-sufficiency and food security.
They also urged the Marcos administration to take immediate action to address the growing economic burden on Filipinos.
Among their demands are the implementation of a nationwide living wage of ₱1,200 for workers across all sectors, the provision of free land distribution and production subsidies, and the dismantling of cartels in the rice industry. Additionally, they called for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential goods such as fuel, electricity, water, and medicines to lower costs for consumers.
Ramos warned that the government’s failure to act would deepen poverty and hunger in the country.
“Sa halip na ibaba ang presyo, itinaas pa ng gobyerno. Kailangan sama-samang manawagan ang mamamayan upang maibsan ang kalbaryo at magbigay ng kagyat na ginhawa sa harap ng tuloy-tuloy na krisis sa ekonomiya (Instead of lowering prices, the government has raised them. The people must unite in calling for relief to ease the suffering and provide immediate relief amid the ongoing economic crisis),”he said.