Cheaper rice for now, but at what cost?

February 22, 2019

by Sonny Africa The government’s economic managers claim that the new Rice Tariffication Act which takes effect on March 5, 2019 will ensure the availability of cheaper rice for Filipino consumers. They also claim that the law will make Filipino rice farmers more competitive and profitable. Yet while rice from abroad could become cheaper for […]

Crisis in PH Agriculture

February 21, 2019

Three things beyond rice tariffication

February 19, 2019

President Duterte has signed the Rice Tariffication Bill into law, which promises to reform Philippine agriculture. But until the government genuinely completes land reform and gives sufficient and substantial support to agriculture, the country’s staple and Filipino farmers remain at risk. The law removes quantitative restrictions or limits to rice importation. Any amount of rice […]

Second year of slowing growth a wake-up call – IBON

January 24, 2019

Research group IBON said that the second year of slowing growth under the Duterte administration should be enough to jolt it out of its complacency and denial. The downturn in the last two years and the poor prospects in the year to come should be a wake-up call to start to undertake the difficult but […]

Real regulation and agri dev’t needed to solve rice woes — IBON

January 7, 2019

Research group IBON said that to truly resolve high rice prices and production concerns, the government should develop domestic rice production and ensure strict monitoring and regulation. With Pres. Duterte poised to sign the Rice Tariffication Bill into law, the group said that the measure is not the solution and only covers up government’s long-time […]

Econ slowdown due to failed govt policies, may be sign of worse to come–IBON

November 10, 2018

Research group IBON said that the government should take the economy’s 3rd quarter growth slowdown as showing what needs to be improved in its economic policies instead of being dismissive about it. Its flagship Build, Build, Build will only be a short-term boost to the economy at best and direct measures to strengthen domestic agriculture […]

Crisis of PH agriculture drives high inflation and economic slowdown

August 10, 2018

Research group IBON said that the recently released second quarter 2018 growth figures confirm the fundamental reason for rising food prices: underdeveloped agriculture from government neglect. While the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law is the most proximate driver of inflation within the Duterte administration’s control, the agricultural sector’s underdevelopment is the long-term […]

Projected rice tariffication revenues may not be enough support for farmers

August 10, 2018

Research group IBON doubted that projected revenues from imposing tariffs on unlimited rice imports instead of quantitative restrictions (QRs) on the staple would be enough to support farmers’ production. The group stressed this amid worrisome agriculture decline and increasing food prices, which the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) yesterday used to justify proposals for […]

Duterte’s RCEP push at ASEAN, implications on PH economy and development

August 10, 2017

By Arnold Padilla Part 1-At the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Rodrigo Duterte endorsed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal. RCEP is being negotiated by the 10 member states of the ASEAN plus six other countries that ASEAN has a free trade agreement (FTA) with or the so-called […]