ILOILO CITY – The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Iloilo chapter passed two resolutions calling for the regulation of rice importation and the repeal of the Rice Tariffication Law amid the low buying prices of palay (unhusked rice).
The resolutions were passed during their meeting on Wednesday and are currently being finalized for signature by LMP Iloilo chapter president and Badiangan Mayor Suzette Mamon.
In an interview on Thursday, Mamon said rice importation should not happen during harvest time, so as not to flood the market with imported rice.
"It should be regulated in such a manner that protects the interests and situation of our farmers, especially our rice farmers," she said.
Mamon said they are also calling on Congress to look into the RTL so that farmers will benefit and be protected.
Meanwhile, Mamon said the national government should have a policy with respect to the procurement activities of the National Food Authority (NFA).
NFA procures palay at a maximum of PHP23 per kilo; however, their warehouses are few and always full.
"The municipalities are very willing to provide for the warehouse. We will be having a separate dialogue with the NFA so that we can level off," Mamon said.
She said Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. is also gathering data to determine the "core reason" for the low buying price of palay.
Available data showed that in Iloilo, prices of palay during the first week of September were at PHP16.90 per kilo and dropped to PHP16.75 in the second week. (PNA)
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