Press Release
December 19, 2018

Statement of Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Agri Sec alarm bells re high rice prices next year
Ipatupad ang tungkuling magbigay ng abot-kamay at abot-kayang bigas, hindi ng pangamba: Kiko

The rice tariffication bill, when it becomes law, should not be used as an excuse to alarm the consuming public about available and affordable rice. Parang alam na niyang may paparating na bagyo, tinatantya na niya ang mga mamamatay. Kung may paparating na bagyo, ipakalat niya ang mga gagawin niya bilang pinuno ng bansa para walang mamatay sa delubyo.

There are four things the Agriculture Secretary should do instead:

1. Act on his mandate as Agriculture Secretary to make rice farmers more productive and competitive through cheaper farm inputs and lower rice wastage. He should ensure bigger incomes for local rice farmers.

2. So that rice farmers' incomes do not go any lower and that revenues from their harvest are not compromised by traders and retailers, the Agriculture Secretary should be more vigilant and use his power and authority under the Price Act to ensure that affordable rice is available to the public. Under this law, he has the power to ensure no overpricing, hoarding, profiteering, delay of importation, and other forms of price manipulation happen with respect to our country's staple.

3. The Agriculture Secretary should convince the President and the economic team to suspend the increase in excise tax on fuel due to TRAIN Law as this factors in the transport of rice and other food products like fish (the catch and distribution of which is fuel intensive).

4. The Agriculture Secretary should work on ensuring that there is sufficient land for agriculture, especially rice.

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