MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos slammed the Department of Agriculture on Tuesday for not lowering the prices of rice despite reducing tariff cuts on imported rice.
The senator also rebuked the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Economic Development Authority aside from the DA.
“Matapos ibaba ang taripa sa bigas ng 15 percent noong July 5, P60 mahigit pa rin ang kilo sa mga pamilihan. Anyare DA, DTI, NEDA? Sabi n’yo babagsak sa Agosto, eh mag-Setyembre na ganun pa rin?” Marcos said in a statement.
Despite implementing a low 15 percent tariff on imported rice, market prices have barely budged, and the citizens continue to struggle with the high cost of rice, she said.
According to the senator, before the 15 percent tariff was implemented, the prices per kilo of imported rice were as follows: special imported rice at P60.65, premium imported rice at P56.84, well-milled imported rice at P53.43, and regular milled imported rice at P49.78.
The senator said that from August 12-17, the prices remained almost unchanged. Special imported rice was priced at P60.07 per kilo, premium imported rice at P56.43, well-milled imported rice at P52.97, and regular-milled imported rice at P48.17.
“Hindi umubra ang pagbaba ng taripa mula 50 percent sa 35 percent, lalo ngang tumaas–mula P34 , naging P62. Ngayong naging 15 percent, nangako kayong babagsak ang presyo–asan ang murang bigas?” Marcos said.
The senator said that the agriculture department should invite all farmers’ groups and other stakeholders for a comprehensive consultation and review of the 15 percent tariff.
The senator also noted that lowering the tariff is not the solution to the rice crisis and instead, increasing local production by supporting farmers and the agriculture sector is key.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) released Executive Order (EO) 62, which lowered the tariffs on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent. This order was implemented on July 5. Since the implementation, several farmers have filed a petition to stop the imposition of tariffs but the halt of the EO remains a pie in the sky.
