MANILA – Agriculture groups on Friday opposed the National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) proposed tariff reduction on agricultural products.

Freedom from Debt Coalition, Integrated Rural Development Foundation, and Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) expressed dismay over NEDA’s planned tariff cuts on staple food from the previous 35 percent to 15 percent until 2028, saying this is not a way to go.

Professor Teodoro Mendoza, who specializes in agriculture and crop science at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, said this would not benefit Filipino farmers, as this would put pressure to lower palay’s farmgate price, decreasing their income.

“Ang worry nga lang pag pina-iiral itong tarrif reduction na ito at yung pinaka malaking comment ko yung 4.1 million metric tons pag yan ang itinuloy nila, at di binago ng DA, talagang babagsak ang presyo ng palay,” he said.

Arze Glipo, Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF) Executive Director, said this would only invite more rice imports, but this she said is not the FIlipinos need.

“Tingin ko importante yung (market policies) kaya nga wala tayong industrialization kais yung importation policy natin is directed towards punuin yung mga basic food needs through importation,” she said.

Glipo said importation must be regulated.

“Gusto natin mabuhay ang ating local industries,” she said.

“At the end of the day, ano man ang pagbaba ng presyo ng bigas, yung naidudulot ng tariff reduction ay malaki ang impact sa presyo ng palay. 'Di pa nakaka-recover sa RTL ang mga magsasaka baon pa rin sila sa utang dahil sa pagbagsak ng kita nila ng 2019, eh may ganito rin,” she added.