The rice watch group Bantay Bigas raised the potential for value manipulation of the staple after it reached P52 per kilo out there, based on a “24 Oras” report of Bernadette Reyes.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) stated it couldn’t affirm if some teams are controlling the costs, however added it might cooperate with the inspection of warehouses.
Bantay Bigas stated the spike within the value of rice of as much as P10 per kilo may solely imply that teams are manipulating it.
“Pumunta kayo ng palengke, talagang paikot ikot ang mga nanay naghahanap ng murang bigas, naghahanap ng kahit paano mababa sa 50 pesos per kilo pero wala,” Cathy Estabillo, the group’s spokesperson stated.
On Monday, a number of lawmakers led by Speaker Martin Romualdez toured markets to examine the costs of rice.
“Hinahanap natin kung paano natin ibaba kasi ‘yung ibang mga trader o ‘yung mga ibang mga nagho-hoard, tinatago nila kaya nagkakaroon ng ano, artificial na shortage kaya ginagawa nilang mas mataas ang presyo,” Romualdez stated.
The House chief stated the problem on rice hoarding and value manipulation is being investigated by the chamber.
DA Assistant Secretary Rex Estoperez stated the division will work with the division’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Office to examine the warehouses of rice everywhere in the nation.
The value enhance has prompted solutions to place a cap on rice costs, which was rejected by the DA and different teams.
“Ang SRP (suggested retail price) ginagamit lang pag nakikita natin may paggalaw ng presyo pero on the price control for now mukhang wala naman tayong emergency for now,” Estoperez stated.
The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) stated imposing a value management just isn’t the precise transfer, particularly amid anticipated provide from native manufacturing.
“Based on harvest, ‘yang 2,281,000 metric tons good for 64 days yan pero may buffer stock pa tayo, ‘yang ani at naimport may almost 30 days tayo,” SINAG chairperson Rosendo So stated.
“‘Yang sinasabi nila ma-shoshort tayo sa September hindi natin nakikita… marami tayong stock na available, so yang October naman start ng anihan so wala tayo problem,” he added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
