Legazpi city: More than 142,000 rice farmers in the Bicol Region will benefit from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s decision to temporarily suspend rice importation for 60 days starting September 1, the Department of Agriculture in Bicol announced.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jayson Gonzales, assistant agricultural program coordinating officer for DA-5, indicated that Bicol's farmers would have the opportunity to negotiate higher farmgate prices as the harvest season begins. Gonzales stated, "This will have a positive impact on our farmers since they will face no competition from imported rice."

In a radio interview, Lovella Guarin, the DA spokesperson, described the initiative as timely, especially with September marking the harvest season during the wet cropping period. She noted, "We anticipate that the peak of our harvest will occur from September to October. The timing of the suspension of the rice importation is ideal because our local farmers won't be rushed to market their produce."

Guarin also highlighted that Bicol has achieved rice sufficiency, stating, "Last year, we recorded a 101 percent rice sufficiency level, and our production has since increased; it may even exceed the previous sufficiency rate. Therefore, we don't need to worry about our rice supply. We currently have a substantial stock."

Further emphasizing Bicol's rice production capacity, Guarin remarked that the region is included in the high rice regions and has sufficient production to support other areas in times of need. "Regarding rice production, in the event of calamities, we can still provide rice to other regions in need. The Department of Agriculture's buffer stock, if not used locally, can be distributed to areas that require assistance, and we can even donate rice to regions in need," she added.

Additionally, Guarin mentioned that the DA has provided PHP7,000 in financial assistance to rice farmers, reflecting President Marcos' support for the agricultural sector and its farmers.