Credits: The Philippine News Agency
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. focused on the pressing issue of rising prices for essential commodities, particularly rice. Marcos acknowledged the hardships faced by Filipinos despite positive economic indicators.
“The hard lesson of this last year has made it very clear that whatever current data proudly bannering our country as among the best-performing in Asia means nothing to a Filipino who is confronted by the price of rice at P45-65 per kilo,” Marcos stated in his opening remarks. He emphasized that statistical achievements are irrelevant to those struggling with high food prices, especially rice, stating, “Hindi natin binabalewala ang inyong mga hinaing at hirap na dinaranas.”
Food inflation rose to 6.5 percent in June 2024 from 6.1 percent in May, with rice inflation slightly decreasing to 22.5 percent from 23 percent in the same period. Despite harvesting 20 million tons of palay last year, Marcos noted the continued need for rice imports.
“Ngunit lokal na produksiyon pa rin ang atina mas bibigyan ng halaga,” he asserted, stressing the importance of local production. Due to illegal price manipulation and smuggling, the government imposed temporary price ceilings on rice. “Tinitiyak ko sa ating mga magsasaka, at sa buong sektor ng agrikultura, na ang mga ito ay panggipitang solution lamang,” he assured.
To support farmers, the government has distributed seedlings and fertilizer, and plans to roll out vaccines against African swine fever by September to boost meat production. Additionally, P2.7 billion worth of smuggled agricultural and fishery products were seized and distributed to the poorest Filipinos.
Marcos also announced plans to construct 1,200 kilometers of farm-to-market roads and to irrigate approximately 45,000 hectares of new agricultural land while restoring irrigation to nearly 39,000 hectares.
The President, who served as Agriculture Secretary until appointing fishing magnate Francisco Tiu Laurel in November, highlighted these measures as part of the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of the agricultural sector and alleviating the impact of high commodity prices on the population.