Kalinga Farmers invited to join Oct. 27 Forum at Kalinga Astrodome to share concerns on low palay prices and unfair trade

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Farmers across the Province of Kalinga are invited to take part in a forum set for October 27, 2025, at the Kalinga Astrodome to share their opinions, experiences, and inputs on possible actions and solutions to address farmers’ concerns.

The activity is in connection with the proposed “Kalinga Trade Fair Ordinance” authored by Board Member Christopher Dona-al, which seeks to impose fair market practices in palay trading within the province.

The forum will be conducted under the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture, chaired by Board Member Julius Amla. Committee members, including Board Members Emilio Kitongan, Camilo Lammawin Jr., and others, are also expected to attend.

A consultation was earlier held on October 17 at the Legislative Building in Bulanao, Tabuk City, to discuss the provisions of Dona-al’s proposed ordinance. However, to further strengthen legislative measures and identify courses of action, the farmers’ forum has been organized to gather more input directly from farmers regarding unfair trading practices and low farmgate prices of palay.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Dona-al said he had already received complaints from farmers across the province who visited his office to raise concerns about these unfair practices, prompting him to craft the proposed ordinance.

“This was validated by the farmers and dagijay um-umay kanayon mak-istorya, kanayon da ibagbaga nga ada incidents nga kastoy, nga ada kanu humarharang dagijay umay gumatang ditoy. Of course, invalidate tayo met. Pinadas tayo nga naginvite ti daduma, napan tayo nakisao kadagiti daduma nga buyers from outside (Kalinga) nga talaga nangatngato panagpresyo da, uray umay da ditoy nangatngato,” relayed Dona-al.

For the upcoming forum, Dona-al expressed hope that it will result in meaningful insights that can help improve the final draft of his ordinance before it is presented to the plenary for further deliberation.

The board member also appealed to farmers in the province to participate in the meeting so their voices can be heard, emphasizing that they are the ones most directly affected by unfair trading practices.

“Mayibkas idiay amin nga issue nga nakabalikot nu apay nga agparigat mannalon tata nga mangilako ti produkto da. Nu apay nga nababa nga nababa to produkto da. Nu anya dagiti linteg nga sangkot nu apay nga maararamid ditoy Pilipinas, kuna tayo langen haan lang nga ditoy Kalinga. Ken agsapol tayo solusyon nu kasanu nga maaddressan dagitoy,” he added.