President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the government is going after agricultural hoarders and smugglers who are responsible for manipulating basic commodities prices.
“Isa sa mga dahilan ng pagtaas ng presyo ay ang mga smugglers, mga hoarders at nagmamanipula ng presyo ng produktong agrikultural. Hinahabol at ihahabla natin sila,” Marcos said during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“Sadyang hindi tama ang kanilang gawain at hindi rin ito tugma sa ating magandang layunin. Pandaraya ang kanilang ginagawa. Napapahamak hindi lamang ang mga magsasaka, kundi tayo na ring mga mamimili,” he added.
Marcos, who also heads the Department of Agriculture, said such activities will not be tolerated as these are against the goals of his administration.
“Kaya hindi natin papayagan ang ganitong kalakaran. Bilang na ang mga araw ng mga smugglers at hoarders na ‘yan,” he said.
Marcos said KADIWA stores will continue to be expanded nationwide to cut middlemen’s participation in the market and to make farmers directly linked to consumers.
The government is also aiming to boost local agricultural production “through consolidation, modernization, mechanization, and improvement of value chains—augmented by timely and calibrated importation, as needed.” AG
