Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16) — Lawmakers on Wednesday slammed the Department of Agriculture’s plan to import over one million metric tons of rice from the third quarter of this year until early 2024, with officials saying this was necessary to increase inventory and curb the further uptick in rice prices.
\”Ano ba ‘to [Is this] white flag surrender? You want the importations to go faster. Puro import na lang kayo [You’re relying on imports],\” Abono Rep. Robert Estrella told DA officials.
\”Pwede tayong gumawa ng legislation na makakatulong sa inyo, kung pwede tayo humingi ng mas magandang budget, magtulungan tayo, pero hindi pupuwede na ang policy natin ay puro import,\” he added.
[Translation: We can make legislation to help DA, ask for a better budget, let’s work together, but our policy should not be always importation.]
The House Committee on Agriculture and Food asked the Department of Agriculture for a briefing on the country’s rice supply as it was concerned about reports of a \”looming rice crisis.\”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the concurrent Agri chief, earlier said he does not see a looming rice crisis, giving assurance of sufficient supply.
Rice is selling for ₱50 to ₱62 per kilogram in Metro Manila markets, and prices are expected to reach ₱60 to ₱65 next week. Agricultural groups pin the blame on a rice cartel among traders, importers, and millers.
READ: Marcos orders close monitoring of rice retail prices
DA Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla disclosed during the briefing that the agency is recommending the importation of 500,000 metric tons of rice from Nov. 15 to Jan. 21 next year to cover possible losses from El Niño.
Sombilla also urged the private sector to bring in the approved 300,000 metric tons by the end of August, and another 300,000 metric tons by the first and second week of September.
She said 89% of rice imports so far this year were from Vietnam, while other sources were Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, and India.
A \”super green lane\” for rice imports until February next year is also recommended.
\”Puro na lang tayo importation. Di na tayo nabubuhay sa sarili natin,\” said Bukidnon Rep. Jose Zubiri Jr. \”Dati, tayo pa nag-e-export. Let’s help the people, farmers, planters.\”
[Translation: All we do is importation and we’re not being self-sufficient. Before, we’re the ones exporting.]
\”Dapat ‘yong local production natin ‘yong asikasuhin natin kasi in the long run, hindi tayo bubuhayin ng importasyon na ‘to,\” said Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas. \”Hindi bubuhayin ang mga magsasaka, ang mga Pilipino, gutom ang aabutin natin.\”
[Translation: We should focus on local production because, in the long run, importation will not sustain us. Farmers and Filipinos will not survive, we will end up starving.]
Sombilla said the presented recommendations are \”just really to stop-gap,\” and that the agency is working to help farmers in boosting their yield levels, among other initiatives under the National Rice Program.
\”Ang talagang ginagawa ng DA ay palakihin talaga ‘yong ating production,\” she said. \”May period limit lang ‘yan (importation)…talagang limited time lang para di aakyat ang presyo ng bigas natin.\”
