MANILA – The House of Representatives will do all it can to help President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wage war against the smuggling and hoarding of rice and other agricultural products, Speaker Martin Romualdez said Tuesday.
In a statement, Romualdez said the House shares the President’s anger and frustration and will redouble its efforts to stop the smuggling and hoarding of rice, sugar, onions, garlic, and vegetables, which harm farmers’ competitiveness and disrupt the agricultural value chain.
“Kami sa Kongreso ay tutulong sa Pangulo para mapigilan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin. Lahat ng kaya naming gawin ay ibubuhos namin sa misyong ito (We in Congress will help the President in preventing price increases of basic commodities. We will exert all efforts in this mission),” he said.
He vowed that the House, as part of its oversight function, would also continue to monitor consumer prices, especially of staples, to protect the Filipino people from price manipulation, unreasonable price increases, and other practices in restraint of trade that hamper competition.
Early this year, the House Committee on Agriculture conducted an inquiry into the high prices of onions, which had jumped to as much as PHP600 a kilo.
The committee uncovered evidence pointing to the existence of a cartel behind the surge in prices in 2022 and this year.
“We shall safeguard the interests of our farmers and our people in general, ensure equitable market conditions, and foster sustainable farming methods to guarantee our nation’s food security. We will not shirk from our duty to help our people,” Romualdez said.
He also called on all concerned government agencies and banks to assist farmers in obtaining technology, equipment, inputs and funding to improve their harvest and boost the supply of agricultural products.
“Needless to say, if there is sufficient supply, it would not be profitable for traders to resort to hoarding and similar anti-competitive activities,” he said.
During his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Marcos vented his anger at smugglers, hoarders and price manipulators of agricultural products.
“Hinahabol at ihahabla natin sila. Sadyang hindi maganda ang kanilang gawain at hindi rin ito tugma sa ating magandang layunin (We are pursuing them, and we will charge them. Their activities are truly nefarious and does not align with our noble objectives),” he said.
“Pandaraya ang kanilang ginagawa. Napapahamak, hindi lamang ang mga magsasaka, kundi tayo rin na mamimimili. Kaya hindi natin papayagan ang ganitong kalakaran…Bilang na ang mga araw ng mga smuggler at hoarder na yan (They are committing fraud. Not only do the farmers suffer, but also us consumers. That is why we will not permit such practice. The days of these smugglers and hoarders are numbered),” Marcos said. (PNA)
