Monday, August 18, 2008 RDCom gives solution to rice problem By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE Regional Development Committee (RDCom) for Mindanao of the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Board recommended a comprehensive solution to the rice problem in Mindanao during its meeting last week at the Marco Polo Davao.
Nicasio Angelo Agustin, RDC-Com Mindanao secretary and Neda-Southern Mindanao regional director, said this comprehensive solution includes the conduct of an extensive study on the long-term potential of Mindanao lands for rice sufficiency.
"The study will involve not only inventory of lands suitable for rice production but also areas that will likely suffer from rice shortages in the future," Agustin said.
He said the study would at least allow the government to immediately provide appropriate interventions to prevent a similar rice crisis that caught many by surprise during the first half of this year.
He further said that the study would also look into current public investments and future requirements for irrigation systems and post-harvest facilities.
"Toward the end of the first semester this year, rice prices in Mindanao topped P50 a kilo when prices in Metro Manila and Luzon were kept below P40 a kilo. This rice price hike pushed the inflation rate for food in Mindanao to more than 20 percent, even reaching as high as 30 percent in Caraga Region," Agustin said.
Agustin added that RDCom will submit its resolution on the issues discussed to appropriate bodies, particularly the Neda Board, for immediate response.
He said RDCom-Mindanao will continue to take an active role in addressing long-standing issues and challenges facing the island and help Mindanao perform its role in the nation's development. (With PR)
