Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Arroyo mulls increase in rice production
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is looking towards increasing rice production in the country if the increasing prices of rice in the world market continue its trend, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.
Bunye said the President, in an interview with the Asian World Street Journal, acknowledged that the present rice situation is a "global wake-up call" which every rice dependent country like the Philippines should work and prepare for to avert its repeat in the future.
He said the President is looking at both long-term and short-term solutions wherein the long-term solution could mean lesser tasks for the National Food Authority (NFA), which the Department of Finance (DOF) fears could incur up to US$1 billion in debts this year stemming from the subsidizing the price rice, among others.
"It make sense for the Philippines to produce more (rice) and if we produce more believe the role of NFA would somehow change, that's talking in long term," he said.
Bunye said for the short-term solution, the administration's goal is to ensure there is food on the table, which means ensuring ample, accessible and affordable supply of rice through the NFA.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap earlier revealed that the government is mulling a cut in rice subsidies amid concerns of the country's fiscal position.
Bunye said Arroyo, however, quoting international analysts, revealed that a softening in the prices of rice in the world market is already expected by the second semester of the year.
He said that in the meantime, the government through NFA would continue to provide affordable rice especially to the poor. The NFA subsidized rice is sold at P18.25 per kilo. (JMR/Sunnex)
