The Philippines’ Rice Crisis: A Call for Urgent Action & Accountability
by Domingo Ibanez | Published Jun 19, 2025
The Philippines’ Rice Crisis: A Call for Urgent Action & Accountability
Decades of neglect, flawed policies, and unchecked land conversion have pushed the Philippines into a dire rice crisis, making it the world’s largest rice importer. A groundbreaking report by the Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF) reveals staggering losses: ₱145 billion in agricultural sector income in 2024 alone, 1.5 million farmers and mill workers impacted, and over 520,000 hectares of farmland lost to commercial development. Policies like the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and Executive Order 62 have not only destabilized the rice economy but also failed to lower consumer prices, leaving millions vulnerable to food insecurity.
The IRDF’s findings highlight critical solutions:
Repealing harmful policies like the RTL.
Enacting a National Land Use Act to protect farmland.
Prioritizing farmer support and sustainable agricultural investment.
Yet, the question remains: Is anyone in power listening? As rice imports reach a record 4.7 million metric tons and farmland continues to disappear, the urgency for systemic change intensifies.
Dive deeper into the crisis and solutions in this eye-opening editorial by The Manila Times. The time to act is now—before it’s too late.
Read the full analysis here: Solutions to Rice Crisis Aired, But Is Anyone Listening?
#RiceCrisis #FoodSecurity #AgriculturePH #PolicyReform #ManilaTimes
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