Farmers want tariffication review, cool to rice SRP

SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan - Farmers in Central Luzon, considered as the rice granary of the Philippines, are calling for the abolition or review of the Law Rice Tariffication (RTL).

-  RAMON EFREN LAZARO

Simeon Sioson, chairman of 4SM Multipurpose Farmers Cooperative, noted that rice prices have surged since the implementation of the law.

Another farmers' group supported the call while expressing doubts about providing suggested retail prices (SRP) for rice.

Sioson noted that prior to the implementation of the RTL, regular milled rice was sold at P27 per kilo and well milled rice at P32 per kilo in retail stores accredited by the National Food Authority (NFA).

Proponents of the RTL said rice prices in the local market could still go down compared to the NFA rice’s selling price at the time, according to Sioson.

 Sioson lamented that rice prices have almost doubled, to the advantage of rice smugglers and hoarders.