The 60-day rice importation suspension order of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has earned the support of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

In a media interview, Lacson said he believes the President’s move is a way to protect Filipino farmers from low palay (unmilled rice) prices during the current harvest season.

“I think the purpose of that order is to protect our farmers because the buying price of palay has really gone down and [we have to use] the supply of rice that we have in the country,” he said.

Lacson added, “I am in favor [of the rice import suspension] because gin-una sang Presidente ang farmers rather than the traders.”

Considering price manipulation schemes that also leave farmers at a disadvantage, President Marcos, in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), warned price riggers that the government will go after them for sabotaging farmers and the economy.

The President then stressed that the government will continue with its agriculture programs intended to support Filipino farmers, alleviate their quality of life, and further develop the country’s agriculture sector.

Lacson also noted, however, that he expects importation to return if rice prices are projected to increase excessively.

“Ginapangitaan lang gid ‘ya sang just the right level of pricing nga happy ang farmers and then not too expensive man sa consumers,” Lacson said.

On August 6, Marcos issued the directive that will take effect on September 1, following a consultation with his Cabinet officials and upon the recommendation of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), cheaper rice imports in the market resulted to palay buying price by some private traders at just P8 to P10 per kilo, which is well below the production cost of P12 to P14 a kilo.

“Farmers have attributed this sharp decline to the influx of cheaper imported rice,” the DA said in a statement on August 5. (PIA-Negros Occidental)