President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed two major executive orders aimed at protecting farmers from low market prices and boosting food production through stronger government support and fair-trade mechanisms.
Under Executive Order No. 100, signed on October 25, President Marcos established a floor price for palay (unmilled rice) to shield Filipino farmers from volatile farmgate prices, particularly during the harvest season when market oversupply often drives prices down.
“The absence of a just and equitable floor price for palay exposes farmers’ vulnerability to volatile market prices,” Mr. Marcos said in his order.
“We must ensure a fair and just return to farmers by setting a floor price that covers production costs and provides reasonable income while keeping rice affordable for consumers,” he added.
The policy responds to long-standing complaints from local farmers’ groups who said farmgate prices have remained low at P10 to P12 per kilo, and in some areas have fallen to P8, despite import restrictions.
EO 100 directs the Department of Agriculture to determine and regularly update the floor price based on production costs, market conditions, and farmers’ welfare. It also creates a Steering Committee composed of the DA, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the National Food Authority to set and enforce the price mechanism.
Violations such as purchasing palay below the set price will face administrative sanctions.
Mr. Marcos also signed Executive Order No. 101, which mandates full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act to promote higher food production, stable prices, and better income for 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,” the President said.
Under EO 101, all government entities must procure agricultural and fishery products directly from accredited cooperatives and enterprises, reducing middlemen and ensuring fair market access.
The DA will establish Sagip Saka Desks in regional and field offices to coordinate enterprise support and direct procurement.
