PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. remains optimistic that the P20 per kilo price of rice, which he made during his 2022 campaign for the presidency, still has a “chance” of becoming a reality once the agriculture sector, particularly the cost of rice production in the country, becomes stable.
“May chance lagi iyan (It always has a chance),” the President said in an interview after he led the distribution of an initial 1,500 sacks of smuggled premium quality rice to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in the Zamboanga provinces.
Asked during the interview if his campaign promise of P20 per kilo of rice is still feasible, Marcos said: “Kung maayos natin ang production natin, hindi na tayo masyadong babagyuhin at ‘yung mga tulong na ibinibigay natin sa mga farmers ay magamit na nila (If we can fix the production [of rice] and it becomes stable, and we will not be hit by too many typhoons, and the farmers start using the aid that we have given them [then the P20 per kilo of rice is possible]).”
In a news release issued by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos said global developments have directly affected the prices of basic commodities in the country and forced the government and the local markets to adjust.
“Ngunit, kapag talaga nagawa natin ang cost of production (ay) binaba natin, ay bababa rin ang presyo ng bigas. Bababa rin lahat. Basta’t mas mataas ang ani kahit na pwede nating ipagpantay ang presyo (If we are able to bring down the cost of production, the price of rice will also go down. Everything will also go down. As long as the harvest remains high, we can match the price),” the President said.
The President reiterated the government is exhausting all measures to ensure that prices of staple food in the market remain affordable especially among the poor.
He cited the imposition of the rice cap of P41 per kilo of regular milled rice and P45 per kilo of well-milled rice to address the rising prices of the staple grain and the new buying price range for palay at P19 to P23 for dry and P16 to P19 for fresh following the changing production and market conditions.
He also said the government is working on raising the rice buffer stock amid the high demand for rice among Asian countries, which have increased their purchases or imports, in anticipation of the looming El Niño phenomenon.
“Titingnan po natin kung papaano na ang mga magiging pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan para hindi natin masasabi na ginutom ang Pilipino dahil hindi sapat ang bigas (We will assess the needs of our people so the Filipinos will not go hungry due to insufficient supply of rice),” the President said.
SMUGGLED RICE
The President visited Zamboanga City on Tuesday to distribute an initial 1,500 sacks of smuggled premium quality rice to 4Ps beneficiaries.
Marcos inspected the 42,180 sacks of smuggled Jasmine rice, estimated to be worth around P42 million, that was forfeited by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga (BOC-POZ) during its warehouse inspection in Barangay San Jose Gusu in Zamboanga City last May 19. The smuggled goods were donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after the BOC-POZ issued an Order of Forfeiture last September 1.
The President assured the public that due process was observed during the confiscation of the rice, which included the observance of the 15 days given to consignees of the grains to explain how they acquired the rice and show proof that the corresponding tariffs and duties were paid correctly.
“Natapos na po ang 15 days, hindi po sila makasagot. Kaya’t kinuha na namin, kinuha na ng gobyerno, kinuha na ng Customs at ginawang donation sa DSWD at gagawing donation ng DSWD at ng gobyerno sa inyo (The 15 days have ended, they have not been able to answer. Which is why the [Bureau of] Customs seized the rice, and it was donated to the DSWD and the DSWD and the national government will donate it to you),” he told the beneficiaries during the distribution.
During its investigation, the BOC discovered disparities between the actual seized goods and the descriptions provided in the documents pertaining to the stored rice.
It noted that the payment records referred to a shipment of broken white rice, which was contrary to the premium Jasmine Fragrant Rice that was discovered in the warehouse.
BOC also said that the warehouse also lacked the necessary Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
On September 1, the BOC-POZ issued an Order of Forfeiture against the warehouse owner for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), Rice Tariffication Law, and Republic Act No. 10845, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
The President reiterated the government would continue to closely monitor and prevent the smuggling of illegally acquired imported rice from entering the country and the market, stressing that these adversely affect not just the agricultural sector but also adds to the suffering of the people.
Marcos said owners of smuggled rice usually keep the grains in warehouses first and only sell them once the prices are already high.
“Iyon ‘yung nakikita natin kaya nagtaasan ang presyo ng bigas dahil ‘yan ang kanilang ginagawa. Kaya’t sabi ko sa ating mga kasama sa Customs, ika ko sa kanila kailangan higpitan ninyo nang mabuti at huwag kayong papayag na may pumapasok na smuggled na bigas [That was our observation when the prices of rice went up, it’s because of what they did. That’s why I told the (Bureau of) Customs to monitor closely and do not let smuggled rice to come in),” said Marcos, who also commended the BOC for their successful seizure of the 42,180 bags of imported rice.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Roderico Bioco, BOC Deputy Commissioner Vener Baquiran, Philippine Air Force Brigadier General Dennis Estrella, Army Major General Antonio Nafarrete accompanied and assisted the President during the inspection and distribution of rice.
DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Group Josefina Romualdez said 5,000 4Ps beneficiaries from Zamboanga would each receive a sack of rice.
She said apart from the distribution in Zamboanga City, there was also a simultaneous distribution of rice in the municipalities of Tungawan and Sibuco.
Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto lauded the government’s move to distribute rice seized from smugglers and hoarders to poor communities in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay.
“By giving the rice away to the people, they are placed beyond the reach of those who have illegally brought them in,” the lawmaker said.
Pleyto, a member of House Agriculture and Food Committee, said the new policy on confiscated contraband rice should discourage the smugglers and hoarders from artificially hijacking the market and adversely affecting local prices.
DSWD Unde rsecretary Ed Punay, during the “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” program in state network PTV 4, said more than 4,000 of the targeted 7,000 small and micro rice retailers under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) have already received the P15,000 cash grant.
Punay said the distribution would continue until the end of the month.
While in Zamboanga, the President also led the turnover of P6.72 million worth of DA-Philippine Rural Development Project Investment for Rural Enterprises and Agricultural and Fisheries Productivity (DA-PRDP) funds, P11.84 million worth of DA-PRDP I-REAP, P1.5 million worth of DA Kadiwa Financial Grant (Hauling Vehicle), P1 million worth of DA Kadiwa Financial Grant (trading capital), and P1.5 million worth of DA Kadiwa Financial Grant (vehicle and working capital) to select cooperative and individual beneficiaries.
Marcos also distributed P59,043 worth of Assistance Certificate from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); P76,620 worth of Mackerel Drift Gillnet; and P4,000 worth of eight rolls-PE Rope No. 10mm; P120 million for the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantages/Displaced Workers;” and P530,000 worth of DOLE livelihood assistance.
PALAY
Lawmakers welcomed the decision of the National Food Authority (NFA) Council to increase the buying price of palay from the current farm gate prices.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said rice farmers and their families stand to directly benefit from the increase of farm gate cost of dry palay from 19 to 23 per kilo and P16 to P19 per kilo for undried.
The Department of Agriculture has earmarked P15 billion for the procurement of un-milled rice which will mean better returns for rice farmers who have been protesting the low price per kilo in the face of mounting costs of farm inputs including fertilizers, seeds, and fuel for equipment.
“The President wants to make sure our local prices are stable, regardless of what happens in the world market. Our priority should be our own (farmers). Of course, we prefer our local supply compared to imported rice. We should import only those what we need. Self-sufficiency should be key,” the House leader said.
The Speaker expressed hope that this and similar interventions would spur increased local rice production to bring down the country’s reliance on rice importation.
He acknowledged that the government has to address issues related to production costs including funding, marketing, infrastructure, irrigation, and technology.
On the other hand, Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan (4Ps party-list) called on President Marcos to maintain the cap on the price of rice to protect consumers and stamp out price manipulation, profiteering, and hoarding.
The lawmaker noted that Asian rice prices began creeping up after India, the world’s biggest rice supplier, stopped exports of non-basmati white rice in July to prioritize its own consumption due to the adverse effect of harsh weather on harvest.
The ban has strained the capacity of Thailand and Vietnam, the world’s second and third biggest exporters, to fill the void created by loss of shipments from India. — With Peter Tabingo
