Rice imports
THE government, through the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), has reduced the tariff on rice imports, drawing cheers from the country’s poor.
The powerful NEDA Board, chaired by no less than President Marcos, reduced the tariff to just 15 percent from 35 percent.
Various quarters lauded the government for lowering the tariff on rice, which is the staple food of Filipinos.
The move is seen to bring down the cost of the staple food to P29 a kilo for the poor and other vulnerable Filipinos at a time when world prices are still increasing.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan was quick to explain, however, that the P29 “is not a general price.”
“The P29 is our target cost of rice for the poor, those who are targeted for the 4Ps…Our concern is, the government should help those who are least able to cope with the rice price,” said Balisacan.
He was referring to Filipinos who are beneficiaries of the highly-successful “Pantawaid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.”
But we share the view of many that concerned government authorities should hit hard at rice hoarders and price manipulators.
This if we really want to bring down the price of the grain, particularly during national emergencies, such as flooding and typhoons.
Hangga’t nandiyan ang hoarders, profiteers, price manipulators at mga kasabwat nila sa gobyerno ay mananatiling kawawa ang mga mamimili.
