Pamalakaya to DA: Scrap import rules if it’s sincere in supporting farmers

These fishermen are seen catching blue crabs along Sugar beach in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, in this undated photo. — RONNIE BALDONADO / CONTRIBUTOR

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) must renounce importation policies if it truly wants to support the country’s farmers, a progressive fisherfolk group said on Sunday.

“Agriculture Secretary [Francisco] Tiu-Laurel Jr. must abandon the import-liberalization policies that have been a scourge to our local farmers and fishers,” Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) stressed.

The group estimated that since 2018, the country imported more than 250,000 metric tons of various fishes including round scad (galunggong), mackerel, bigeye scad (matang baka), bonito, and moon fish.

Pamalakaya explained that ever since the country has increased the volume of its imports in 2018, farm gate prices of local fishery produce has decreased dramatically.

“In some provinces, the farm gate price of galunggong went down to P60-P70 per kilo from P100-P110 per kilo due to the entry of the much cheaper fish in local wet markets,” the group’s statement read.

“The DA must instead strengthen the local agri-fisheries production through sufficient subsidies and ensuring the exclusive rights of fishers and farmers to fishing grounds and agricultural lands,” it continued.

In December last year, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 50 which extended the reduced Most Favored Nation tariff rates on pork, corn, and rice until Dec. 31, 2024.

But despite the country’s importation policies and tariff cuts, rice prices have remained at P50 per kilogram since November last year, with the DA saying that it is not expecting retail prices of the staple grain to decrease soon.

According to the DA, this is because of the high price of rice in the global market.

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