AN ESTIMATED P7.2 billion worth of rice is wasted in the Philippines in a year, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said.
In a “24 Oras” report, each consumer wastes at least two tablespoons of rice a day and the wastage can feed over two million annually.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) expects a shortage of 80,000 metric tons of rice from July to September.
“Meron talaga tayong time of the year na konti na ang harvest ng local d’yan po pumapasok naman ‘yung importation, ‘yung augmentation natin. So based on that we want to ensure na stable ang supply para stable rin ang price,” DA assistant secretary Kristine Evangelista said.
She added, “If we have to help our retailers get suppliers and ‘yung suppliers naman ay tutulungan natin with logistics then we will do that. Hinahanap natin ngayon ‘yung regular milled para at least kasi kung ang premium na 48, P40 lang eh. So ang regular milled na 37 baka meron pa tayong makitang 32,” she added.
Based on the price monitoring of the DA, the price of rice increased up to P2 per kilogram compared to last month.
“So definitely ‘pag tumaas ang presyo mo ng iyong procurement, tataas ang presyo doon sa atin pong bigas,” DA deputy spokesperson Rex Estoperez said. (GMA Integrated News)
