Rice hoarders and wicked merchants could be causing the limited benefits felt by rice farmers with regard to the rice importation law, says Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. “Right now, the Philippine Competition Commission is also taking a look at possible rice hoarding by some unscrupulous traders. It might not be as simple as a supply and demand problem. Meron ding manipulation kasing nangyayari because we’ve been hearing reports na may mga unscrupulous traders who are hoarding. So if mapapatunayan natin ‘yan and our government agencies are already investigating this” (Right now, the Philippine Competition Commission is also looking at possible rice hoarding by some unscrupulous traders. It might not be as simple as supply and demand problem. There is manipulation taking place as well because we’ve been hearing reports that there are unscrupulous traders who are hoarding. So, if this will be proven and our government agencies are already investigating this), explains Nograles.
On the possible law violation by President Rodrigo Duterte in case he instructs the halt of rice importation in the country during harvest season, Nograles dismisses the idea as hypothetical, especially in light of Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo’s statement that there is not an instruction to that effect from the Chief Executive to Department of Agriculture lead William Dar. “Wala pa namang ini-issue is Pangulo e, so that’s hypothetical. That’s why pag-u-usapan pa ‘yan” (There is not yet an issuance from President, so, that’s hypothetical. That’s why that will be discussed), Nograles answers.
In addressing the grievances of the farmers, concerned government agencies, informs Nograles, will now discuss the issues on rice. “Mag-mi-meeting ‘yong ating mga economic managers and the Department of Agriculture in response to the pronouncement of the President. So, s’yempre, pag-u-usapan namin ‘yan, and then, perhaps, we can discuss it in the next cabinet meeting” (Our economic managers and the Department of Agriculture will convene in response to the pronouncement of the President. So, of course, we shall discuss that, and then, perhaps, we can discuss it in the next cabinet meeting), tells Nograles.
