The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has strongly criticized the recently amended Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), describing it as a “death sentence” for millions of Filipino farmers.
The amended law, Republic Act 12078, which took effect on December 25, has been hailed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. as a “Christmas gift.”
However, KMP dismissed the statement as an insult to farmers who continue to struggle with poverty and neglect.
In a statement, KMP said the amendments, which include tripling the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to Php30 billion annually and extending its implementation until 2031, are mere distractions from the real issue—unabated rice importation and insufficient support for local rice production.
“The revised Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) is no gift. It is a death sentence for the millions of farmers who toil daily to sustain the country’s food supply,” the group said.
The organization criticized the government’s continued reliance on rice imports, which they said undermines local farmers.
The amended RTL grants the agriculture secretary authority to declare a “national food security emergency,” facilitating emergency rice imports during such periods.
“The government’s reliance on importation remains evident in the revised RTL. By granting the agriculture secretary authority to declare a ‘national food security emergency’ and facilitating emergency rice imports, the administration cements its dependence on foreign rice instead of bolstering local production,” the statement read.
They argued that this policy contradicts claims of strengthening the Philippine rice industry, citing its impact on farmgate prices, landlessness, and farmers’ indebtedness.
The group also took issue with the government’s focus on RCEF allocation, which designates Php6 billion for seeds, Php9 billion for mechanization, and Php15 billion for training and infrastructure.
KMP said these measures overlook the urgent need for direct production subsidies.
“Farmers need access to affordable inputs like fertilizer and fuel, debt relief, and guaranteed procurement of their harvest at fair prices. Instead, the government is funneling billions into programs that often fail to reach those most in need due to bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption,” the statement added.
The amendments to RTL also reduce the National Food Authority’s (NFA) role, limiting it to emergency buffer stocking and cutting the reserve period from three months to two. KMP warned that this jeopardizes food security and marginalizes farmers.
“This not only jeopardizes food security but also sidelines the NFA’s critical function of stabilizing rice prices and ensuring a steady market for farmers’ produce,” the group said, describing the Marcos administration’s “Rice-for-All” program as another hollow promise.
KMP reiterated its demand for the repeal of the Rice Tariffication Law, urging the government to reallocate funds toward comprehensive production subsidies and compensation for farmers.
“Filipino rice farmers are more than capable of feeding the nation if provided with adequate support, fair prices, and protection from unfair trade practices,” the group said.
