Pangilinan questions timing of rice imports during local harvest

MANILA — Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has challenged the government's handling of rice imports, questioning why foreign supplies are entering the Philippine market during the local harvest period when domestic production peaks.

Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate committee on agriculture, said the influx of imported rice during harvest season threatens to depress local prices, leaving Filipino farmers unable to recover production costs. He suggested the timing of the imports may indicate deliberate manipulation, commonly referred to as a "modus" in local terminology.

The senator's remarks highlight ongoing tensions between agricultural liberalization policies and domestic producer protection. Safeguard mechanisms are intended to shield local farmers from import surges that could undermine their competitiveness during critical sales periods.

Pangilinan's intervention underscores broader concerns about the vulnerability of Philippine agriculture to import competition, particularly in rice production, a staple crop and critical source of rural income. The senator's scrutiny signals renewed legislative focus on enforcement of existing trade protections for the farming sector.