OVER THE PAST quarter century, the population has risen from 65 million to 105 million. Land areas, caused increases in sea levels notwithstanding, has remained fairly constant at 300,000 square kilometers. Population density therefore, has risen from 217 per square kilometer to 350.
Where do the additional 40 million go?
A fair proportion now lives on land which in the 1990s was pristine rice land.
A burgeoning population coupled with reduced rice land makes rice self-sufficiency an ever-increasing challenge.
In 2010, Agriculture Secretary Alcala was appointed by incoming President Aquino. Alcala said that rice self-sufficiency was attainable by 2013. This target was not met. Food security means we have to depend on imports. We no longer talk about rice self-sufficiency.
***
Last week, President Duterte signed the Rice Tarrification Law. This introduces a tariff of 35 percent on rice imports from ASEAN member-states and 50 percent from non-ASEAN countries.
Importers will also have to secure a phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry. I hope this requirement will be implemented fairly.
A 35 percent tariff does, of course, attract smuggling which has bedeviled the sugar industry in the past. We need vigilance from incorruptible government officials.
Support for rice farmers is a concern. A smoothly operating Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (Rice Fund) is a must.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regularly issues instructions to banks to implement more lending to farmers.
Like most BSP instructions, these are not fully implemented by the banks. It is high time for the banks to reach out more to farmers, many of whom are nervously reluctant to establish a dialogue with banks. The Hanjin debacle should show the banking sector that it needs to look to create more lending opportunities with others, including farmers.
***
I believe the Rice Tarrification Bill well reflects the current situation. We should not have a repeat of last August when problems of rice importation cause unacceptable price increases and, in all probability, a consequential increase in poverty.
The Philippines Statistics Authority conducts, every three years, a Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES). In past year this has shown a slow but steady decline in poverty from 26.6 percent in 2006, 26.3 percent in 2009, 25.2 percent in 2012, and 21.6 percent in 2015. Data for 2018 is due to be published next month.
We are, nevertheless, failing to meet the UN Development Goals which, for the Philippines specified a reduction of poverty from 33 percent in 2000 to 16.5 percent in 2015. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 is to reduce poverty incidence to 8.25 percent.
We have a long way to go./PN
