Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — On Tuesday (February 23), the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food held its last hearing on rice supply issues, before the 16th Congress ends in June.
Sen. Cynthia Villar, chair of the committee, grilled state counsel Luz Macasinag. Villar wanted to know why in the last three years, no case has been filed against David Bangayan — a suspected big-time rice smuggler in Davao.
The justice official could provide a reason, but said that his office will submit a report.
Villar also expressed disappointment that no charges have been filed in other smuggling cases. She said that the Mayor of Zamboanga has repeatedly reached out to her about smuggling incidents, but that nothing has been done.
Villar also questioned National Food Authority Administrator Renan Dalisay on rice importation. The senator said that importation should be a government to government transaction, but the Philippine government continues to grant import permits to private companies.
In effect, Villar explained that these companies bring in too much rice, subsequently affecting the livelihood of local farmers.
Statistics show that as of January this year, the country’s rice stock inventory was at 3.20 million metric tonnes, lower than 2.44 million metric tonnes in December.
Late last year, rice production in Central Luzon slowed down because of Typhonn Lando, which damaged areas and reduced yield.
