• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and farmers yesterday welcomed the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to temporarily suspend rice importation starting September 1, in time for the peak harvest season.
Lacson said the suspension of rice importation, as recommended by the Department of Agriculture, aims to protect local farmers, noting that the buying price of palay has gone down.
He added that the move of President Marcos prioritizes local farmers over traders.
While Negros Occidental is 86 percent rice sufficient, Lacson is encouraging farmers to increase their production, at least to six tons per hectare, noting that Negrense farmers are currently producing four tons per hectare.
Pedro Limpangog, president of the Federation of Irrigators’ Association Central Negros – Bago River Irrigation System, Inc. (FIACN-BRIS), said the suspension of rice importation favors farmers.
The onset of the country’s harvest time for the wet cropping season is expected to begin by mid-August, with peak harvesting projected between September and October, according to the Department of Agriculture.
While they are not opposing the rice importation, Limpangog noted that the price of palay is in Negros Occidental is getting cheaper, at P14 to P15 per kilo, while farmers spend around P13 to produce a kilo of palay.
Limpangog said they are pushing to increase the selling of palay to P20 to P30 per kilo.*
