BM Amla hopeful farmers’ woes on unfair trade in Kalinga, low buying prices of palay will soon be solved, invites farmers to join pubic forum on Oct. 27

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Board Member Julius Balitnang Amla, who chairs the Sannguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture, is hopeful that farmers’ woes on unfair trade and low buying prices of palay will soon be solved while expressing full support for the proposed Kalinga Fair Trade for Farmers Ordinance.

The farmers in the province like in other parts of the country are crying foul over low buying prices of palay (unmilled rice), largely due to competition with imported rice and several provisions under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

In the province, another identified reason contributing to the problem is the unfair trading practices such as price manipulation and exclusive buying arrangements by some local traders.

The provincial legislator, during an interview with Guru Press Cordillera on October 17, said he belives the ordinance will truly help farmers in the province who continue to struggle to sell their produce at fair prices. 

During the public consultation that happened on the same day, Board Member Christopher Dona-al, author of the proposed ordinance, said he received reports of such practices from farmers in the province; that’s why he crafted the measure. 

A farmer who spoke out during the consultation also revealed that some individuals are hindering the entry of outside traders who have higher buying prices.

Reacting to the ordinance, Board Member Amla commended Dona-al for the initiative, saying it is a step toward protecting the welfare of local farmers. 

Amla expressed hope that the ordinance will be finalized and approved as soon as possible, as it can lighten the load for the farmers in Kalinga.

The legislator then invited farmers across the province to attend the set public forum on October 27 at the Kalinga Astrodome so that their concerns, ideas, and experiences can be heard and included in the final version of the ordinance. 

“Kadatayo nga farmers, napintas daytoy nga ordinance nga inauthoran ni Apo Chris Dona-al. Napintas daytoy nga ordinance tapno ti kasta datayo nga kakailyan ditoy Kalinga, datayo nga farmers tapno ti kasta ket awan ti maidasdasi. Sapay koma ta daytoy nga ordinance ket ada maitulong ditoy probinsya tayo nga Kalinga, nangnangruna kadagitoy mannalon,” relayed Amla. 

Other Sangguniang Panlalawigan members who backed the ordinance include board members Emilio Kitongan, Camilo Lammawin Jr., Romeo Saclag, and Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Michael Karel Sugguiyao.