The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP – Peasant Movement of the Philippines) have criticized the Marcos regime’s plan to declare a “food emergency,” saying it is not a solution to the skyrocketing rice prices. “This is yet another short-term measure that does not address the root of the problem—the control of private traders and rice cartels over the supply and price of rice,” said Rafael Mariano, chairperson emeritus of KMP and former Agrarian Reform Secretary.

Mariano said the Rice Liberalization Law (RLL) has given free rein to ruthless traders to manipulate the price of rice in the market, while our local farmers continue to suffer losses. If the government is serious about bringing down the price of rice, it should scrap the RLL, he said.

“(It should) increase support for local production and implement strict regulations against hoarding and overpricing by big traders. The government should be the one to control the supply and price of rice, not the private cartels,” he said.

A “food emergency” is set to be declared in February to allow the NFA to sell rice to local governments at a lower price. According to the regime, the agency can sell its stockpiled rice at Php36/kilo. This could reportedly lower the average price of rice to Php38 per kilo. The NFA wants to dispose of up to 300,000 metric tons of rice.

Before this scheme, the regime had also promised that rice prices would fall after it lowered the tariff imposed on imported rice. Before this, it tried to impose a minimum price for rice, and more recently, a “maximum” price. All of these schemes have thus far failed.

Meanwhile, other agricultural products continue to increase in prices further burdening consumers while still detrimental to small-scale food producers. Last week, red onions’ retail price reached Php250 (4.32 USD) per kilo, while white onions were valued between P120 and P140 (2-2.4 USD) per kilo.