PH surpassing China as world's biggest rice importer worrisome: Pangilinan

We should all be deeply worried by news that the Philippines has surpassed China as the world's biggest importer of rice.

This means that our country has become perilously dependent on other nations for our everyday food, sa ating araw-araw na sinaing. We are set to reach a record-high three million metric tons of rice imports this year while China is only importing 2.5 million metric tons. Ano ang mangyayari sa atin kapag hindi tayo binentahan ng bigas ng ibang bansa? Literally, nganga.

This food insecurity is aggravated by the impact of rice imports on our farmers. Sa pagbagsak ng presyo ng palay, karamihan sa ating mga magsasaka ang nalugi. Sino pa ang aasahan natin na magtanim ng ating pagkain kapag ang ating mga magsasaka ay gutom at lugi?

Urgent action is demanded. Provide cash assistance to help our farmers through these lean times. Raise the tariff for rice imports. Immediate and proper use of RCEF for mechanization and increased productivity. Correctly implement the Sagip Saka Act to increase the incomes of our farmers ASAP.

Huwag na nating hintaying maubos ang ating mga magsasaka at tuluyan tayong umasa sa ibang bansa para sa ating pagkain. Let us protect our farmers now to protect our food security.