Rice prices
WELL-meaning Filipinos believe that the government, through concerned offices and agencies, is in a position to protect the interests of consumers.
Last June, in a bid to help consumers during the “lean months,” President Marcos slashed duties on imported rice but retained low tariffs on other commodities.
The so-called “lean season ” in poverty-stricken Philippines, an agricultural country, starts in July and ends in September.
The harvest season still begins in October.But the situation is not helped any by the nefarious activities of unscrupulous traders.
In fact, these heartless traders hoard the grain, the staple food of the Filipino people, to create an artificial rice shortage.
We believe that the government is doing everything to go after hoarders and proliteers, who are super active during trying times, like natural disasters.
Last month, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that consumers would feel the impact of tariff reduction by October.
Laurel said traders were still disposing their old stocks, which they brought in at higher duties.
Without doubt, it is reassuring to note that concerned government authorities are determined to blunt rice price increases.