Former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol met with Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Friday, October 10, to propose the reintroduction of more locally produced rice varieties in the city’s markets and government food programs. The initiative aims to assist Filipino farmers struggling with low farmgate prices and market oversupply caused by imported rice.
During the meeting at Manila City Hall, Piñol presented data showing that local farmers are selling their harvests for as low as ₱8 to ₱10 per kilo. He said that the continued influx of imported rice has made it difficult for small-scale producers and cooperatives to earn a stable income. “Filipino rice farmers are crying and losing money,” Piñol said, adding that many are finding it hard to recover from financial losses.
He also cited the example of Nueva Ecija farmer Danilo Bolos, a former overseas Filipino worker who expanded his rice field from one hectare to 30 hectares. Bolos now harvests up to 17 metric tons per hectare, which is significantly higher than the national average of four to five metric tons. Despite this success, Bolos emphasized that most farmers remain burdened by high production expenses and low buying prices.
To address these concerns, Piñol proposed the revival of the “Bigas Pinoy” program, a partnership initiated five years ago that enabled the city to purchase rice directly from local farmers in Nueva Ecija, Palawan, and Mindoro. The plan would allow the inclusion of premium Filipino rice varieties in Manila’s markets and food assistance programs, creating a more stable demand for locally grown rice.
Mayor Domagoso expressed support for the proposal, noting Manila’s long-standing connection to agricultural trade. “Since before I was born, Recto has been an outlet for farmers—people from Pampanga would deliver watermelons, turnips, and other produce there,” he said. Domagoso also recalled how the city kept its trading posts open during the pandemic to ensure the delivery of agricultural goods.
To explore the proposal further, the mayor instructed Manila Market Administration Office Director Joey Hizon to study the possibility of allocating stalls for rice cooperatives and local producers in city markets. The plan aims to strengthen the link between farmers and consumers while ensuring that Manila continues to serve as a key marketplace for Philippine-grown rice.
Both Piñol and Domagoso said the initiative would not only help local producers gain fair market access but also ensure a sustainable supply of affordable, high-quality rice for Manila residents.
