In a significant move to combat poverty among agricultural workers and secure the nation’s food supply, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed two executive orders designed to increase farmer incomes and stabilize the price of rice.
The newly signed Executive Order No. 100 establishes a guaranteed floor price for palay (unmilled rice), while Executive Order No. 101 mandates the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, prioritizing direct government procurement from local farmers and fisherfolk.
“We have to help our farmers and fisherfolk rise from poverty by empowering them to be more productive and increase their incomes,” President Marcos declared during the signing ceremony.
The executive actions are the direct result of a special caucus convened by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in October, which brought together top national officials to address a sharp decline in farmgate prices and the pressing economic challenges facing the agricultural sector.
A Direct Response to a Crisis
The high-level meeting included Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, and key legislative chairs, signaling a unified government approach.
During the caucus, Secretary Estrella issued a strong call to action, emphasizing the critical role of farmers. “Our palay farmers are the backbone of our food security,” Estrella stated. “We urged all agencies and GOCCs to directly procure locally produced rice and provide stable markets for our farmers.”
The recommendations from this meeting were subsequently submitted to Malacañang, culminating in the signing of the two EOs, which aim to institutionalize both immediate relief and long-term support for the country’s food producers.
Key Provisions of EO 100: Securing a Fair Price for Palay
EO 100, titled “Establishing a Floor Price for Palay,” is designed to protect rice farmers from volatile and often exploitative market prices. Its main components include:
Floor Price Determination: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is tasked with setting and regularly adjusting the floor price for palay, taking into account production costs, market trends, and farmer welfare.
Balanced Objective: The measure aims to ensure farmers receive a fair return on their investment and labor, while also maintaining affordable rice prices for consumers.
Oversight Committee: A Steering Committee composed of the DA, DILG, DTI, DSWD, DAR, and the National Food Authority (NFA) will oversee the implementation and ensure pricing remains fair and effective.
Logistical Support: The order allows for the temporary use of public facilities—such as covered courts and multipurpose halls—as storage areas when existing warehouses are insufficient.
Key Provisions of EO 101: Enforcing the Sagip Saka Act
EO 101, “Enforcing the Sagip Saka Act,” operationalizes Republic Act No. 11321, which had previously been underutilized. Its mandates are:
Mandatory Direct Procurement: It requires all national government agencies, government-owned corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs) to prioritize direct procurement from accredited farmers’ and fisherfolk cooperatives and enterprises (FFCEs) through the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development (FFED) Program.
Market Access: This opens vast government markets to local producers, removing bureaucratic barriers and ensuring a steady demand for their goods.
Sagip Saka Desks: DA regional and field offices are required to establish Sagip Saka Desks to assist farmers and fisherfolk with registration, coordination with government agencies, and enterprise development support.
A Future for Food Heroes
Secretary Estrella emphasized that these executive orders will have a profound impact on Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and the entire agricultural sector.
“These EOs demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to protect the dignity of our farmers and improve their livelihoods,” Estrella said. “By securing fair prices and supporting direct local procurement, we are building a more resilient and inclusive agricultural sector.”
The DAR and its partner agencies have expressed full support for the new directives, affirming that these policies are expected to boost national food security, stabilize rice prices in the market, and foster more prosperous and inclusive rural communities.#
