MANILA, Philippines -- Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Monday said the 60-day rice importation ban is insufficient to stop the country’s reliance on imported rice.
The senator said the 60-day ban announced by Malacañang will shield farmers from falling palay prices during harvest season
"It’s good as a stop gap measure, but it is not enough," Pangilinan said in a statement.
"Why are we suspending the entry of imports? Because it is already harvest in October, November, December,” he said.
Pangilinan said he would push for a P100-billion budget increase for the Department of Agriculture to bring its allocation to about P800 billion in the next six years.
He pointed out the huge gaps between the Philippines’ agricultural spending and that of its neighbors.
He said Taiwan spends $600 billion a year on agriculture for its 23 million population, while the Philippines spends only $4 billion a year for 120 million Filipinos.
Thailand also spends double the funding of the Philippines on agriculture for a population of 70 million, while Vietnam spends triple for its 90 million population.
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