Tabuk City, Kalinga – Kalinga Board Member Christopher Dona-al is currently pushing for an ordinance that seeks to stop unfair trade practices among rice and corn traders, ensuring that farmers in the province get fair prices for their produce and have the right to choose where or to whom they can sell them.
Dona-al said in an interview with Guru Press Cordillera on October 17 that the “Fair Trade Ordinance ket isu ti kasapulan… daytoy ti mabalin nga makatulong ti farmers tayo ditoy Kalinga.”
Entitled “Kalinga Fair Trade for Farmers Ordinance of 2025,” the proposed measure aligns with Republic Act No. 10667 (Philippine Competition Act), RA No. 7581 (Price Act), and RA No. 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act). It aims to uphold fair trade, prevent monopolistic and anti-competitive practices, and protect the rights of rice and corn farmers in the province.
To allow farmers, traders, and concerned agencies in the province to express their opinions and raise their concerns before the ordinance is finalized—and to make it favorable for all sectors—a public consultation was held on Friday, October 17, at the Legislative Building in Bulanao, Tabuk City.
The consultation was presided over by Committee on Agriculture Chairman Julius Amla, with Board Members Emilio Kitongan, Camilo Lammawin Jr., and Romeo Saclag, among others, in attendance.
In his remarks during the discussion, Dona-al said he crafted the ordinance after several farmers visited his office to complain about traders who allegedly manipulate prices and restrict where they can sell. Because of this, farmers said they were forced to accept low prices since some traders control the market.
“Ibagbaga da, ada manalon ditoy Kalinga kanu nga agsagsagaba gapo kadagiti agpilpilit ti presyo. Anya ti goal na daytoy nga ordinance? Ti goal tayo ditoy ket ma-ensure tayo koma nga adda minimum presyo kadagiti produkto ti manalon. Ma-empower dagiti manalon nga adda rights nga agpili nu sino pangilakuan da,” said Dona-al.
Following the complaints, Dona-al said he spent many days and nights crafting the ordinance to protect farmers’ rights. In his presentation, the legislator explained that the proposed measure intends to prohibit price manipulation and collusion among traders; coercive buying practices, including threats and undue pressure; exclusive dealing arrangements that limit farmers’ choices; and misrepresentation of weights, grades, or market prices.
Once institutionalized, traders who violate these provisions will face the following penalties:
First offense: ₱10,000 fine and a written warning
Second offense: ₱30,000 administrative fine and suspension of the Fair Trade Compliance Certificate (FTCC) for up to six months
Third offense: ₱50,000 administrative fine, cancellation of the FTCC, and recommendation for blacklisting from provincial trade activities
For implementation, the ordinance proposes the creation of a Fair Trade Oversight Committee (FTOC) that will monitor compliance and investigate alleged unfair practices by traders. The committee will include representatives from OPAG, DTI, FCAs, CSOs, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture.
Dona-al emphasized that the committee is crucial so that farmers will have a formal body to raise their concerns and ensure their complaints are addressed.
After discussions, the proposed ordinance was approved for third reading at the committee level.
Farmers, organizations, and agencies that missed the consultation can join the farmers’ forum that will be conducted on October 27 at the Kalinga Astrodome.
.png)
%20(2).png)
