The rural-based group Anakpawis Party-list has blamed the government’s import-liberalization policies—particularly the Rice Liberalization Law (Republic Act 11203)—for the steep decline in farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice), calling for its immediate repeal.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Anakpawis revealed that the average farmgate price of palay in September dropped to P15.60 per kilo, the lowest recorded since November 2020. The group said this price collapse has severely impacted local farmers, many of whom are struggling with rising production costs and limited market access.

“Since the law was enacted in 2018, imported rice has flooded the market at artificially low prices, leaving Filipino farmers with no protection and no viable income,” said Anakpawis National President Ariel Casilao. “The government has abandoned its responsibility to safeguard local producers.”

To mark the 79th anniversary of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO), Anakpawis and allied farmer groups staged a protest at the Department of Agriculture (DA), denouncing the liberalization of agriculture and fisheries. The demonstrators demanded increased production subsidies and structural reforms to revitalize the domestic rice industry and promote rural development.

The Rice Liberalization Law, which removed quantitative restrictions on rice imports, has long been criticized by farmers’ groups for undermining local agriculture and exposing producers to volatile market forces.

Anakpawis reiterated its call for the government to prioritize food sovereignty and farmer welfare over trade liberalization.