CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The country’s biggest farmers’ organization has warned that Pres. Duterte’s upholding rice importation would eventually lead to a plunge in his popularity.
This was the forecast of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) after Malacanang clarified that the President never ordered the halting of rice importation under the Rice Liberalization Law. Duterte, however, was reported to have apologized for the negative effects of rice import liberalization.
“President Duterte’s feigned apology on the effects of rice liberalization is worthless. Malacanang instantaneously clarified news reports on the order to suspend rice importation and even fortified its stance to uphold rice importation amid broad calls against it,” said KMP leader Rafael Mariano.
Mariano, a former Cabinet member of the Duterte government, said “It’s such a shame that President Duterte wants PH, an agricultural country, to remain as the world’s top rice importer.”
In a statement, KMP said “farmers, consumers, stakeholders, and all Filipinos must oppose and protest the government’s acts of criminal neglect and economic sabotage. The broad November 20 national day of action against rice liberalization law is just the start. Farmers and rice stakeholders will soon launch a national caravan to gather petition signatures for the junking of RA 11203.”
KMP said “Malacanang and Duterte practically threw the local rice industry into the dust bin when it signed RA 11203 in February this year. Now, the government is totally abandoning its obligation to ensure the food security of Filipinos.”
Mariano said “Duterte may lose whatever political support that he is still enjoying right now because of his stance to continue rice importation.”
“Rice liberalization policy strikes the masses at the gut level. Even the middle class and certain sections in business community felt insulted when the economic managers rejected proposals for safeguard measures to counter the effects of RA 11203,” he said.
Mariano also said “the issue of rice liberalization could lead to Duterte’s political isolation from broad social sectors and the people. Only big rice importers and oligarchs are siding with Duterte on this matter.”
