Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Mayor: Rice traders shouldn't be blamed for rice price
MAYOR Rodrigo Duterte pleaded with the public not to begrudge the rice traders in Davao City their due profit, as there is really no rice shortage.
"What we have is a price crisis, not a rice crisis, mataas lang talaga ang presyo (it's just that the price is high)," Duterte told reporters Monday, shortly before he went on another leave of absence.
Duterte added that if the traders will move out of the city, along with their rice supply, then a real rice crisis would ensue.
"Isa lang ang paki-usap ko sa kanila (Only one thing I asked of them), do not meddle with the NFA rice," Duterte said.
As for the move of the City Council to file charges against officials of the National Food Authority (NFA), Duterte said it is something that he would not approve of.
"Taga gobyerno din yang kakasuhan niyo eh," Duterte said.
The city mayor added that he would definitely talk to the officials of the government agency and give them the opportunity to explain and resolve the problem.
"Buti sana kung mga terrorista yan o mga rebelde," Duterte said.
"I would be happy to hear from them (the City Council) a strong statement against terrorists or rebels," Duterte said. (CPM)
