Antique: Antique Governor Paolo Everardo Javier is planning a consultative meeting with farmers' associations in the province to explore ways the provincial government can assist amid the declining buying price of palay.

According to Philippines News Agency, the price of palay (unhusked rice) in the province has decreased to PHP10 per kilo since mid-September. Governor Javier expressed concern for farmers struggling to make a profit from their harvests. He emphasized the importance of listening to their recommendations to prevent exploitation, particularly during the peak harvest season.

Governor Javier is also considering the establishment of two rice processing complexes to provide farmers with access to drying and milling facilities as a long-term solution. Without these facilities, farmers are compelled to sell their harvests immediately, even at lower prices, to prevent wastage.

In an earlier interview, National Food Authority (NFA) Assistant Manager Philip Cesar Rumbaoa mentioned that the NFA's procurement activity in Antique is limited due to the absence of a warehouse. He highlighted that the NFA offers a higher buying price of PHP23 per kilo for clean and dry palay and PHP17 for wet palay. Rumbaoa noted that the current PHP10 buying price is significantly lower than the previous rate of around PHP24 per kilo for clean and dry palay before the peak harvest season.