The Department of Agriculture (DA) has requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate social media claims regarding farmer hardships, reportedly linked to low palay (unmilled rice) prices.
In a letter to the NBI, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel called for a thorough investigation amid discrepancies with official reports.
Social media posts last week raised concerns about unfortunate events affecting three farmers in Nueva Ecija, with low palay buying prices cited as a potential factor.
Laurel expressed concern about the interpretation of these incidents by certain groups, stating that these claims differ from official law enforcement accounts and the DA's own findings.
He urged the public to show sensitivity and respect towards the affected families, emphasizing the need for privacy during this difficult time.
Reports indicated that farmgate rice prices in Nueva Ecija have fallen to ₱14 per kilo, despite the National Food Authority's (NFA) purchasing price of ₱18 per kilo for fresh harvests and ₱24 per kilo for clean, dry grains.
Laurel attributed the low prices to the NFA's limited budget, which restricted its ability to purchase larger quantities of rice, and the removal of its regulatory powers, which hinders effective market intervention.
“With its limited authority, the NFA cannot intervene in the market effectively, leaving traders room to suppress palay prices,” Laurel explained.
He reiterated his appeal to lawmakers to pass legislation that would empower the DA to address these challenges.
He emphasized the need to restore the NFA's powers, including direct rice sales to the public, and to allocate additional resources for palay purchases to influence market prices.