The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported that the Rice Tariffication Law on its first year has benefited the country in some ways.
DA Secretary William Dar said the law caused the drop in the price of rice in the country, which has been accompanied by the continuing assistance for farmers.
“We are happy that the first year implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law, much more the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, and the programs corresponding as mentioned, are now starting (to have an) impact. I would always call the RCEF as one of the game-changers that we can see its impact as we continuously implement for the next five years (and) more,” he said.
Based on the study of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the regular price of rice per kilo which is at Php 36.00 can drop to Php 34.00 up to Php 35.00 by the end of the year.
Dar enlightened that they have been attending to concerns of farmers such as oversupply of vegetables.
“Alam ninyo (You know), they are also building itong (this) mobile buses as (their) supermarket moving around Metro Manila. We will launch that some time April. We are looking at this, not only as a temporary solution but as a long term solution (as well),” he shared.
Dar also encouraged the public’s cooperation to fully eliminate the problem on the African Swine Fever (ASF).
“As of today, we have reached1.85 % of the culled out hogs based on a 12.8 million hog inventory. So the new areas where outbreaks are occurring is in Camarines Sur and Naga,” he added. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
