By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to implement measures to bring down the prices of rice and ensure sufficient supply amid the global oil shock triggered by the Middle East conflict that has affected the economy.
The President made the directive during the 6th meeting of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee in Malacañan Palace early Tuesday.
“Ang utos ng Pangulo kay Secretary (Francisco) Tiu-Laurel Jr. ay gawin ang lahat ng paraan para ibaba ang presyo ng bigas,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing, adding that the President also ordered authorities to go after hoarders and profiteers taking advantage of the situation.
“Huwag hayaang may mang-abuso sa sitwasyon ngayon na may krisis sa Middle East. Iniutos ng Pangulo na aksiyunan ang mga hoarder at nagsasagawa ng profiteering. At kapag napatunayan na may sabwatan para tumaas ang presyo ng bigas, hindi mag-aatubili ang gobyernong kasuhan ang mga sangkot at ang maaaring pagpapataw ng price cap,” she said.
Currently, the government, through the DA, is accelerating the wider rollout of key programs, including the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! Initiative, which offers rice at P20 per kilo to vulnerable sectors, alongside the Rice-for-All program for the broader market.
The agency has said that it is also prepared to impose a P50 per kilo price cap on imported rice if price pressures persist.
Other matters tackled during the UPLIFT meeting were continued efforts to secure fuel supply, funding to sustain targeted subsidies and programs for affected sectors, as well as the strict monitoring of the supply and prices of key commodities.
“Sa direktiba ng Pangulo, patuloy na pinapatibay ng UPLIFT Framework ang coordinated response ng pamahalaan upang protektahan ang kapakanan ng sambayanan at patatagin ang ekonomiya ng bansa,” Castro said.
Castro said that the committee also talked about the proposed UPLIFT bill, but declined to give further details as the Executive’s version of the measure is still being finalized.
Meanwhile, Marcos convened the 9th Economy and Development Council (EDC) meeting to discuss possible strategies to address current challenges, including improving the country’s mass transportation system through expanded railway networks.
Officials also discussed enhancing the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) capability to maintain security and order in Philippine waters.
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