Let’s delve into the topic of rice, which has been the subject of various news recently, both positive and negative. People are questioning the prices of rice, ranging from 20 pesos per kilo to 25 pesos per kilo, with some outlets even announcing a price of 38 pesos per kilo in select areas. However, the reality is that most markets in the Philippines sell rice for 40 to 45 pesos per kilo.
To get to the bottom of this, we need to separate fact from fiction. The claim of rice priced at 20 pesos per kilo is nothing but fake news. There was never a promise from candidate Marcos, Jr. to sell rice at such a low price. At best, it may have been a wishful thinking scenario during the campaign. Department of Agriculture officials clarified that there was no promise, only an intention if feasible. However, the 20 pesos per kilo claim was heavily promoted during the campaign, and no denial was made at that time by the candidate or his camp. This allowed people to believe in something that was not true.
Instead of putting an end to this misinformation, the scam was further perpetuated when DA officials claimed it was possible to achieve the 20 peso-per-kilo price in a short amount of time. Even today, some officials continue to propagate this possibility, despite knowing that it’s impossible without heavy subsidies from production to retail. This has led to a few outlets selling rice at 25 pesos per kilo, with a maximum of 4 kilos per buyer and a limit of 50 buyers per day.
Considering that there are approximately 26 million Filipino families, with half of them claiming to be food-poor, it is clear that the demand for rice priced at 25 pesos per kilo is much higher than what these outlets can provide. It seems that these officials would rather provide false hope than face the reality of the situation. This is not the fault of the current administration, as they cannot lower the price of rice to 20 pesos per kilo without bankrupting rice farmers.
Importation was once seen as a solution, but even imported rice is being sold for 40 pesos per kilo or more. It’s unclear whether this is the true cost, but the importers and DA officials should have the answers. However, the question remains, can small rice farmers earn a decent living? Marcos, Jr. cannot simply turn back time and sell rice at 20 pesos per kilo unless he heavily subsidizes either the farmers or the rice sellers.
It’s evident that the solution lies in telling the truth and openly discussing the challenges faced by small rice farmers. There needs to be a grand vision that considers both the farmers and the consumers as equal partners. A flagship program should be implemented to develop sustainability and prosperity for farmers, ensuring a constant supply of rice at stable prices.
While fuel prices go up without much resistance, rice prices are heavily debated. Filipinos need to understand that if they want rice even during difficult times, the farmers will be there to provide it. We must sympathize with the struggles of millions of Filipino farmers and their families. Government negligence, corruption, and a lack of vision have resulted in the current state of the rice industry. It’s time for a final solution that prioritizes the well-being of farmers and creates a harmonious relationship between producers and consumers.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
