MANILA -- The price of rice has continued to increase, according to the price watch group Bantay Bigas. 

Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo said prices of the Philippine staple in some markets in Metro Manila range from P54 to P60 per kilo. 

She said higher prices of rice are a burden, especially to low-income earners, and is calling on the government to take action by subsidizing rice prices.
 
“Yung P54 to P60 napakataas na yan para sa ating mga ordinaryong mamamayan, consumers. So ito nga ang lagi nating pinapanawagan sa gobyerno na aksyunan na, kailangang mag-subsidize ng presyo ng bigas ay gawin niya na. At the same time, talagang i-prioritize yung mga field, mga lupain na taniman ng palay pagdating sa irrigation,” Estavillo said.

• DA assures stable supply of rice until next harvest season

Estavillo added that prices of rice might increase further due to the El Niño phenomenon, which is now being experienced in some parts of the country. High prices of rice and other agricultural products will result in a higher inflation rate, according to Estavillo.
 
“Posible 'yun 'yung inflation kasi ang mabilis na pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain ay nagdudagdag sa overall inflation ng economy,” she said.
 
The group suggested putting up irrigation facilities to lessen the burden on farmers. Estavillo said that due to the effects of El Niño, some farmers were forced to rent deep well facilities which would cost them 500 pesos per use.
 
“Every time na gagamit ka ng deep well ay 500. Ilang beses kang magpatubig sa isang buwan, sa apat na buwan. So ang laki-laking impact nito sa ating food security, kasiguruhan sa pagkain,” Estavillo added.
 
Meanwhile, the group recognizes the solar water irrigation facilities of the government, but suggested that farmers must be consulted first when there are plans to construct solar-powered irrigation systems. 

This is to ensure that more farmers will benefit from the program, according to Estavillo.
 
“Naglagay sila ng solar irrigation, dapat kasama ang magsasaka na mag-decide dahil meron tayong nabisitang isang solar irrigation mula sa RCEF. Ayon sa mga magsasaka na nakausap natin, pinuntahan natin ang solar irrigation, aabot lang ng isa at dalawang ektarya ang kayang patubigan,” Estavillo said.

• Gov't eyes rice vouchers for poor families

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said they are planning to put more funds into irrigation, machineries, post-harvest facilities, and other farm inputs to strengthen production, lower the cost, improve the planting system, and increase the earnings of the farmers. 

Initial programs, according to Laurel, have resulted in good yield in 2023 with 20.06 million metric tons of harvested palay. It helped, according to DA, lessen the importation of rice.

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