The mayor added there is no need for people to hoard and that is exactly what the government is trying to prevent from happening with the imposition of limits on the purchase of NFA rice.
Duterte also warned against the hoarding of rice, as rice can only be kept in good condition for as long as three months only.
"If there is a crisis, I will be the first one to tell you," Duterte said.
Duterte cited a number of factors that may have caused the imbalance on rice production and demand in the country.
Change in the climate, natural phenomena like typhoons and floods, and the conversion of land from food crops to cash crops brought about the imbalance, the mayor said.
Duterte, however, noted that if there is no problem on the supply, there is a problem in the continuous increase in the price of rice.
"It is affected by the increase in oil prices," Duterte said.
