Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14) — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez stressed the importance of securing ample but affordable rice imports as prices of the staple began climbing in recent weeks due to challenges in local production.
Romualdez checked on prices of rice and vegetables in a surprise visit to Nepa-Q Mart in Cubao, Quezon City Monday with ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo.
The Speaker said talks must be held with rice exporting countries like Vietnam and Thailand to ensure that the Philippines will have adequate supply until the harvest season for local farmers later this year.
Romualdez announced last week that he has secured Vietnam’s commitment to supply rice to the Philippines.
“Yun talaga ang katotohanan. Di pa natin kaya yung 100% locally produced rice, although yun din ang ating goal or target. Pero habang hindi pa natin naaabot yan, hahanapin natin yung maayos na supply galing Vietnam, Thailand o India sa tamang presyo,” he said.
[Translation: That’s the truth. We still cannot do 100% locally produced rice, although that is the goal or target. But as we still cannot do that, we will look for supply from Vietnam, Thailand, or India at the right price.]
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India announced an immediate ban on rice exports last month, raising fears that prices of the staple could go up in Asia due to supply constraints.
Romualdez also appealed to traders to refrain from hoarding rice to ensure the stability of supply in the market.
