New DA chief speaks on P20/kilo rice promise of PBBM
FRANCISCO LAUREL JR. – The new Department of Agriculture secretary said in a press conference that the promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reduce the price of rice to P20 per kilogram is presently “not possible.”
He explained that although the target is an “aspiration,” it might not be achievable in the near future due to the considerable increase in the world market’s rice prices, which are currently at a 15-year high. “Today, it’s not possible. but with the directive of the president to modernize, irrigate … we are getting ready to do our best to try to make rice affordable,” Laurel said. “It might take a little time,” Laurel added.
Laurel highlighted that despite the impracticality at the moment, efforts are being made to enhance rice affordability in line with the President’s orders, focusing on modernizing and irrigating the sector. He emphasized that this process may take some time.
The Agriculture Secretary outlined the President’s directives to augment local agricultural production, particularly in rice cultivation, emphasizing the need for modernization, irrigation, and the usage of proper seeds. “It’s hard to say. The problem in the world is complicated. There’s climate change, El Nino and it will continue until the middle of next year. Anything can happen,” the agri chief said. “We don’t know if there will be a war in other countries if there will be another problem with the shipments at the Suez Canal,” he added.
He mentioned the complexities contributing to the uncertainty of reducing rice prices to P20, such as global issues like climate change, El Nino, and potential disruptions in shipping routes. Laurel also stressed the necessity of improving local storage facilities and increasing the rice buffer stock to truly bring down the cost of rice.
He hinted at the requirement for legislative adjustments without further details. Despite over a year into Marcos’ term, the cost of grains remains far from the promised target, with current prices ranging from P45 to P53, as per data from the Department of Agriculture.
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