ROXAS TO GOV'T: BE TRANSPARENT ON RICE SITUATION

Senator Mar Roxas called on the government to be more transparent about the impending problem of diminished rice supply and higher prices, and to focus on real solutions without skirting the issue.

"Yung Secretary of Agriculure ay nagsasabi na kailangang magkalahating kanin na lang tayo, tapos sasabihin na wala tayong problema. Kailangang tanggapin natin na may problema tayo para makausad tayo at makahanap ng solusyon," Roxas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce, said.

"Don't bring the nation to the edge of crisis. Hindi ito isang bagay na basta na lang mawawala. Kapag nakahanda tayo nang maaga ay mababawasan natin ang problema. Kung pumikit-mata na lang tayo ay baka dumating ang panahon na trenta pesos kada kilo ang bigas," he said. At present, regular rice is already being sold at about P24-P26 per kilo, he noted.

"I am raising a fair warning now because the people have the right to know whether we are facing a looming rice crisis. Government must tell the truth and be accountable," he added.

Roxas, President of the Liberal Party, noted that this year's estimate for imported rice was 2 million metric tons, as part of the Philippines' 12 million-ton consumption of rice annually. However, he noted there was no longer a surplus for importation.

"Yung Thailand ay hindi na makaka-commit sa atin. Ang Vietnam naman ay nagsasabi na hanggang kalahati lang ng ating pangangailangan ang mabebenta nila sa atin. So it's not just a question of price, it's a question of supply," Roxas said.

The Senator has already urged the government to release the calamity fund for local government units, in order for those in the countryside to augment rice supply.

"Kapag na-release ang calamity fund sa mga LGU para sa mga magsasaka, ay makakabili na sila ng mga seeds, fertilizer, pesticide at kung ano pang kinakailangan, na sa ganoon mapaparami yung crops natin," he said.