By MANILA – Last February 14, farmers, together with different progressive groups marched along Mendiola to commemorate the 5th year anniversary since the enactment of the Rice Liberalization Law (RA 11203) into law.
The protest action was led by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), together with AMIHAN, a peasant women’s group, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. The groups called to repeal RA 11203 and hold Marcos Jr. accountable for the continuous increase in the price of rice in the country.
According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos of KMP, the Rice Liberalization Law is nothing but a failure as it did not strengthen the local rice industry and the overall situation of the farmers in the country. Ramos added that the increasing price of rice only burdens the consumers while farmers feel the loss due to the high cost of farm inputs. The price of rice continues to rise, which is now at 58 to 65 pesos per kilo.
The groups also expressed their opposition to charter change pushed by the Marcos Jr. administration. To them, the “economic cha-cha” is not the solution to the worsening poverty and crisis in the country.
According to Ramos, the further opening of the country’s economy to foreign investors will only worsen the already-collapsing economy and the destruction of our natural resources. Instead, Ramos called for genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization as the key to save the country’s economy./PT
