MANILA, Philippines — The private farm sector is calling on the government to adopt a “Filipino Farmers First” policy as it rejects the liberalization of rice imports into the country. The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) is urging President Duterte to zero in on a policy adopted by economic giants US and China. The group argued that providing subsidies to farmers has been the success track of countries like the US and China which have become leaders in agriculture. “Subsidies in one form or another have been the template for other countries with successful agricultural sectors. He added that the 1995 Tariffication Act, which established an Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, was known for corruption than enhancing agricultural competitiveness.

Source: Philippine Star February 11, 2019 22:21 UTC