More agricultural stakeholders want Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan to be booted out of the Cabinet over policy recommendations which are supposedly detrimental to farmers and even consumers.
A total of 26 agriculture organizations have signed a joint statement asking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fire Diokno and Balisacan over their proposal to reduce tariffs on imported rice to drive down its cost.
For the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), it was an unforgivable move as local producers will be hit.
“Even consumers will never benefit from tariff reduction because as much as eighty-five per cent (85%) of imports are for premium grades rice that cater to the relatively well-off consumers. Bakit ayaw nila itong sabihin: ang mga institutional buyers at mayayaman lang ang makikinabang dito, kasama nang mga importers,” SINAG chair Rosendo So said in a statement.
They also pointed out how Diokno and Balisacan should not be allowed to tinker with tariffs as they please as Congress should have a role in it, too.
“Malinaw ang direktiba na sinabi ng Presidente, palakasin at suportahan ang lokal na produksyun; at hindi palakasin ang importation at smuggling,” So added. “Malinaw din ang patuloy na pagkontra ni Diokno at Balisacan sa gusto ni President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., kaya’t nararapat lang na sila ay matanggal na sa gabinete ng Pangulo.”
The call for the heads of Diokno and Balisacan has extended beyond rice farmers. New signatories include the United Luzon Mango Stakeholders Association Inc., the New Alliance of Rabbit Breeders Association, Egg Council of the Philippines, the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, and the Sheep and Goat Industry of the Philippines.