The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday denied social media claims that farmers in Nueva Ecija took their lives due to low palay (unmilled rice) prices, calling the reports false and misleading.
DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said during a news forum that an investigation ordered by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the claims were untrue.
“Pinaimbestigahan na po yun ng atin kalihim at napatunayan na hindi totoo,” De Mesa said.
The reports stemmed from a March 18 article by The Manila Times, which cited Magsasaka Party-list chairman Argel Joseph Cabatbat claiming that at least three farmers committed suicide due to palay prices dropping to P15 per kilo or lower.
De Mesa criticized the spread of the report, stating, “Hindi tama [at] hindi nararapat yung mga ganitong balita pinapakalat dahil una disimpormasyon. Pangalawa may epekto ito sa atin mga kababayan.”
He clarified that palay prices remain stable, with dry and clean palay selling at P24/kg and fresh or wet palay at P18/kg. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the average farmgate price of dry palay in Central Luzon in February was P19.46/kg.
While farmers’ groups like Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas have raised concerns about low farmgate prices and the impact of rice importation, De Mesa said rice imports have actually declined, averaging 400,000 metric tons per month last year.
He added that the country expects a strong harvest this year, with projected palay production reaching 2.1 million metric tons.
To support farmers and keep rice prices in check, the DA is continuing its crackdown on rice smuggling, monitoring market prices, and enforcing suggested retail prices on certain rice varieties.