MANILA – Officials assured the public that the government was taking steps to control the impact of inflation.
Malacañang has ordered the release of government rice stocks and asked concerned agencies to ensure the efficient delivery of other imported agricultural products to the markets in a bid to stabilize prices, they said.
A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that 63 percent of Filipinos said controlling the rising prices of basic commodities is the most urgent national concern that the Duterte administration must address.
“The government is aware that rising prices is an urgent problem,” Rep. Karlo Nograles (Davao City) said Thursday. “Our economic managers know what is causing it, and the appropriate steps are being taken to address it.”
Nograles, chairman of the House of Representatives’ appropriations committee, acknowledged that the spike in rice prices was one of the factors that fueled the nine-year high nationwide inflation of 6.4 percent in August.
To address this, the Palace – through Memorandum Order (MO) 28 – directed the National Food Authority to immediately release the rice stocks in its warehouses.
These included the 230,000 metric tons currently stored in its warehouses across the country and 100,000 MT previously contracted to be delivered before the end of the month, said Nograles.
“This is a decisive move that will force rice traders hoarding stocks to release their stocks, thereby protecting consumers from profiteers that are taking advantage of the situation,” he said.
In addition, the NFA Council provides incentives to rice farmers who sell their palay to the NFA to improve the agency’s rice procurement efforts.
These steps, including the arrival of imported rice in the coming weeks, should stabilize rice prices and improve the availability of cheaper NFA rice across the country, said Nograles.
“Rice is life. The more expensive rice is, the harder the lives of our countrymen get,” he said. “The corollary is also true. Alam ni Presidente iyan, kaya tinanggap niya ang pagbitiw ni Jason Aquino bilang hepe ng NFA at may mga bagong direktiba siya para pababain ang presyo ng bilihin.”
On Tuesday Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque announced that Duterte signed an administrative order removing nontariff barriers and streamlining administrative procedures in the importation of basic agricultural commodities.
Under Administrative Order 13 signed Sept. 21, Duterte emphasized the “urgent need” to control spikes in the prices of basic agricultural products, particularly rice, chicken, pork, and fish.
In line with this, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued Memorandum Order 26 directing the Agriculture and the Trade and Industry departments to adopt measures to reduce the gap between farm-gate and retail prices of agricultural products.
He also issued Memorandum Order 27 ordering the Agriculture and Interior department and the Metro Manila Development Authority to ensure the efficient and seamless delivery of imported agriculture and fishery products from the ports to the markets. (With Philippines News Agency/PN)
