Rice and Imperialism
At a risky crossroads

March 19, 2026

FEATURES

At the crossroads of national food security and imperialist interests, the government has consistently chosen the latter.

IBON hits limited BBM Na! program

May 23, 2025

The BBM Na! program smacks of insincerity. It rations rice to poor households, scrimps on funding, and leaves out millions who also struggle to afford food.  This is far from the sweeping effort needed to make Php20 rice a reality and is just a public relations gimmick dressed up as policy.

Rice tariffication led to lost incomes

May 30, 2022

In 2020, rice farmers’ net income per hectare decreased by 30.7% in the dry season, by 37.5% in the wet season, and by 35% on the average as compared to figures in 2018. This translated to substantially lower profitability ratio for the farmers.

Rice tariffication harmed rice farmers

May 30, 2022

In 2020, rice farmers’ net income per hectare decreased by 30.7% in the dry season, by 37.5% in the wet season, and by 35% on the average as compared to figures in 2018. This translated to substantially lower profitability ratio for the farmers.

Rice tariffication harmed farmers

July 26, 2021

The ill logic of rice liberalization

June 25, 2021

The economic managers have been using runaway inflation to justify liberalizing rice importation. But government’s obsession with imports liberalization has only worsened the jobs crisis, loss of livelihoods, and farmers’ bankruptcy.

How Do The Senatoriables Fare? : Rice Tariffication Law

April 18, 2019

The Rice Tariffication Law supposedly ensures food security by liberalizing rice imports and making farming globally competitive. However, Filipino farmers see it as a threat to their livelihood. Some vouch for it, while others side with the dissenting voice. Who’s who?

Rice tariffication puts PH food security at risk—IBON

March 2, 2019

IBON Executive Editor Rosario Bella Guzman said that non-quota tariff rice importation undermines the food security principles of supply stability and affordability. She said that in face of world market volatility, a fluctuating peso-dollar exchange rate and impending El Nino, government should seek to stabilize prices and the economy. Government will soon release the implementing […]

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 […]