DINALUPIHAN, Bataan — Senator Imee Marcos on Sunday asked rice farmers to diversify while announcing that she wanted rice importation lessened.
“Balita ko maraming problema sa irigasyon na kulangkulang, putol-putol. Maganda nga kanal, maganda imbakan, wala namang tubig,” she said of the woes of farmers after meeting them.
She said when it rains, flooding follows blamed on climate change but during the dry months there is no water.
“Pagkahirap-hirap ng buhay ng magsasaka pumasok pa ang santambak na imported rice,” the senator said.
She asked rice farmers to diversify: “Magtanim kayo ng malunggay, ng munggo. Asahan ninyo na gagawan natin ng paraan na kayo na rin ang magbenta sa gobyerno. Ito ang tinatawag na community procurement na bibili ang DSWD, sundalo, pulis ,at iba pa dahil sila’y nagpapakain din ng kani-kanilang sektor.”
She said that rice tariffication cannot be evaded because government promised 22 years ago that the country will be opened for imported rice.
“Pero para sa akin pumasok man ang imported rice, hindi naman bawal na limitahan nsng kaunti. Huwag namang sabayan ang ani na katakot-takot na hindi naman mabenta. Huwag namang labis- labis, huwag sobra-sobra kung ano lang kulang,” Marcos said.
She claimed that 93 percent of the need for rice is produced by Filipino farmers, leaving only a shortage of seven percent.
“Dapat 3½ percent lang iimport tulad sa panahon ng tatay ko. Ngayon zero control na, wala nang regulasyon. Lahat na lang nag-iimport, may smuggling pa, may cartel. Kung ano-ano ng hirap ang dulot sa atin,” the daughter of late President Ferdinand Marcos said.
“Pagkahirap-hirap ng sitwasyon ng rice farmers kaya kailangang tulungan nang lubusan kasi nagbagsakan ang presyo at dagsa ang imported rice,” the senator added.
She said that she and Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman are working for government’s assistance to farmers in the form of cash incentives while the Department of Agriculture will distribute free palay seed and fertilizers.
“Ito’y para maibsan ng kaunti ang kanilang lugi,” Marcos said.
Marcos was guest during the 23rd founding anniversary in Dinalupihan town of the Kababaihan ng Bataan tungo sa Kaunlaran founded by Geraldine’s mother, former Rep. Herminia Roman.
