By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive on sustaining food security across the archipelago, the government has been taking measures to maintain sufficient stocks of rice and ensure that these are being sold to the masses at the right price.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reassured the citizenry that the Marcos Jr. administration is on top of all matters concerning the staple grain in the Philippines.
Castro announced, hinting at the government’s efforts to augment the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” Program, “Maglalabas ng 1.2 million bags o maaaring umabot sa 100,000 metric tons ng local rice ang Department of Agriculture (D.A.) sa pamamagitan ng auction ngayong linggo.”
She added, “Inaasahang aabot sa P25-28/kg ang floor price ng bigas depende sa edad nito. Layunin din ng auction na paluwagin ang mga bodega para makapag-imbak pa ng karagdagang supply ng bigas. Ibig sabihin, maganda ang ani ng ating mga magsasaka.”
The Palace press briefer meanwhile reiterated the D.A.’s price monitoring initiative to ensure that rice prices remain stable once the 60-day import ban kicks into effect next month.
Castro told reporters, “Naninindigan ang D.A. na hihigpitan ng ahensiya ang pag-monitor sa presyo ng bigas upang matunton kung sino ang mga mapang-abusong balak magmanipula ng presyo nito.”
She explained further, “Magkakaroon sila ng price monitoring to enforce the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP). At nakikipag-usap din po sila sa stakeholders—mga farmers, millers, traders—para hindi po mamanipola ang presyo.”
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