BAGUIO CITY — Tobacco farmers from Northern Luzon massed up outside the Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City during the opening of the National Tobacco Administration’s (NTA) 2025 Tripartite Consultative Conference on Tuesday, demanding a higher price for their harvest.

The demonstration, organized by Ilocos region-based left-wing tobacco farmers group STOP Exploitation and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), called for a flat floor price of P128 per kilo of Virginia tobacco, without applying the current classification system.

They said the existing rate of P97 per kilo is too low, which does not cover the high costs of farming. Farmers from Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union accused cigarette companies of using unfair grading systems to lower the prices of their tobacco.

“They can pay P100 to P150 per kilo, but they trick us using classifications,” a farmer said.

The protesters want to remove the grading system, which they say allows companies to buy their tobacco at unfairly low prices.

The farmers also criticized contract-growing agreements that benefit corporations more than farmers.

These contracts often come with unfair conditions, hidden fees, and taxes.

The group also raised concerns about how tobacco taxes are being spent, saying the funds should go to help farmers but are often misused by politicians.

Inside the event, NTA Administrator Belinda S. Sanchez explained that the conference seeks to ensure transparency and fair pricing. She said the discussions would help determine the right increase in floor prices to support both farmers and the industry.

Farmer leader Bernard R. Vicente, head of the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers, who joined the conference, pushed for higher prices across all tobacco types, including special rates for improved types of Virginia and Burley tobacco, which cost more to produce.

Mr. Vicente said farmers are struggling with rising costs of fertilizer and labor.

Right now, the price of Virginia tobacco ranges from P61 to P97 per kilo, depending on quality.

Some traders, however, paid up to P130 per kilo last season.

NTA officials said they are there to help with negotiations and ensure all sides are heard.

Still, farmers promised to continue fighting for P128 per kilo, fair contracts, and better use of tobacco tax funds.

The conference runs until Wednesday. — Artemio A. Dumlao

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