Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday presented her solutions to the pressing problems faced by rice farmers during the 10th National Congress of the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA) held at Taytay, Rizal. Hontiveros proposed that P12,000 be given to each farmer as “bayad lugi” or compensation to the losses they suffered from the massive inflow of imported rice. She also pushed for the immediate release and distribution of P 6.5 billion worth of cash assistance to farmers this year. This is after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) confirmed that the price of palay has fallen to an all-time low in 8 years and the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that there are areas that are forced to sell for as low as P10.00 per kilo. (PRIB/IAMIGO/CNS)