Senator Imee Marcos expressed concern over the use of imported rice for the government’s “P20 rice” program despite the ongoing harvest season and the absence of any declared supply shortage.

Marcos said that some officials appear to be prioritizing profit over protecting the welfare of local farmers.

“It is clear that there is no shortage because the Department of Agriculture has not declared any,” she said.

“If the P20 rice program is set at 30 kilograms per household per month, that only amounts to 5.4 million metric tons annually—still well within the country’s local production of 20.3 million metric tons. It’s as clear as day that some officials are treating rice importation as a sideline for profit,” she added.

Marcos also alleged that certain officials of the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) seem to favor importation to maintain their positions, instead of upholding the agency’s mandate.

She further pointed out that the FTI’s Trading Unit appears to be “like a ghost,” despite its supposed role of directly purchasing produce from farmers.

“If there is a Trading Unit, why aren’t they directly buying from our farmers?” she asked.

The senator also said that the revival of contract growing arrangements for farmers was not intended to justify importation.

“It’s harvest season—why import at all? Are we once again going to underprice our own farmers’ produce?” she said.

“Our own department should be helping farmers, not protecting opportunists who profit from the struggles of our agricultural sector,” Marcos concluded.