By: Junex Doronio
SAYING that the high price of rice was caused by neighboring Asian countries that beefed up their buffer stock and local traders hoarding their supply, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday expressed confidence that his promised P20 per kilo during the 2022 presidential campaign is still attainable.
“May chance lagi ‘yan,” the President said when interviewed by reporters in Zamboanga City.
This possibility was expressed by the Chief Executive despite the El Niño and other agricultural matters.
PBBM, however, noted that it was important to fix rice production and other issues, most especially when natural calamities reduce rice yields.
“Ngunit, kapag talaga nagawa natin ang cost of production ibinaba natin ay bababa rin ang presyo ng bigas. Bababa rin lahat. Basta’t mas mataas ang ani kahit na pwede nating ipagpantay ang presyo,” the President said.
He also ordered the Bureau of Customs to strengthen its monitoring of rice imports.
Earlier, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said that the P20 per kilo target was still possible if agriculture productivity improved.
(ai/mnm)
