By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Buoyed by the success of the P20-per-kilo rice program which premiered in Cebu on May 1, and was followed by subsequent launches in the National Capital Region (NCR) and selected areas in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, the Department of Agriculture (D.A.) shared updates related to “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) na” program.
During press briefing Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. vowed to address issues surrounding the administration’s “affordable rice for the masses” and said, “Ang problema namin na ina-address ngayon ay iyong haba ng pila ‘no. So, we have ordered na—Bibisita ako, iikot ako mismo para ma-address – magdagdag ng silya; maglagay ng electric fan, kung hangga’t kaya, may kuryente; maglagay ng trapal o tolda para maano ang init. Alam ninyo naman mainit ngayon kaya ia-address ho natin iyan para maging mas maganda iyong experience ng ating mga mamimili.”
The Agriculture chief has also shared that around one million sacks have been cleared from National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses, and were disseminated in several KADIWA outlets at locales that were part of the initial rollout of the ‘BBM na’ program.
He added that the program’s implementation across the archipelago will be done in three phases, gradually increasing in availability especially in Visayas and Mindanao.
Phase 1 includes provinces in Regions VI, VII and VIII – Negros Oriental, Samar, Eastern Samar, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Antique, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Guimaras, Siquijor, and Aklan.
But due to high demand, the D.A. is looking to incorporate the Mindoro provinces–Oriental and Occidental–into the first phase of the program, and are already in touch with their respective Local Government Units (LGUs).
Phase 2 is expected to commence in July, and will include select provinces in Mindanao–Zamboanga del norte, Basilan, Cotabato City, Tawi-tawi, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Davao Oriental and the province of Sorsogon in Bicol Region.
In September, the third phase of the project is expected to launch in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Sarangani, and Dinagat Island in Mindanao, as well as the province of Catanduanes in Bicol Region.
D.A. to launch probe into traders in 32 areas in Luzon for buying rice at very low prices
In spite of the significant demand and interest garnered by the “Benteng Bigas Mayroon (BBM) na” program, which is a campaign promise that was fulfilled by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the D.A. has provided reassurance that a fair floor price will be set for the procurement of rice that will be sold to consumers under the P20/kg rice program.
Secretary Tiu-Laurel said, “Well, ang goal noon is para maka-set tayo ng floor price na hindi sila malulugi – kasi ang pinakaayaw natin mangyari ay malugi iyong farmer ‘di ba dahil nga pinaghirapan nila, pinagpawisan. Siyempre ang hangad natin ay kumita – iyon ang pinakamaganda, pero kung sakaling due to adverse conditions or situations mayroon pa ring floor price para nga hindi—ang importante kasi ma-maintain natin iyong tinatawag na planting intention eh.” he added.
The Agriculture Secretary made these pronouncements following reports of 32 areas where traders are allegedly buying rice at very low prices, thus affecting the livelihood of farmers who are struggling to turn a profit from the fruits of their hard work in the paddy fields.
However, Secretary Tiu-Laurel assured the public that the agency will hold those responsible for taking advantage of farmers liable and is working on legislation to quash these malpractices.
To conclude, Secretary Tiu-Laurel underscored to identify best practices to set floor price, “But the idea is, set a floor price. Sa ibang bansa, mayroong mga ganoong patakaran ‘no, like India and other countries. So, we are studying the best practices sa iba’t ibang bansa so that we can hopefully—but of course itong mga ganito, we were checking pa kung kailangan ba ito ng batas o puwedeng department administrative order lang.”
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