Saboteurs warned vs. messing with rice prices

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 23, vehemently warned rice cartels creating "artificial" shortage of the staple to "stop messing with the people."

In his third State of the Nation Address (Sona), the President told rice saboteurs that he would go after them and file appropriate charges against them.

"To help stabilize rice prices, we also need to address the issue of artificial rice shortage. I now ask all the rice hoarders, cartels and their protectors, you know that I know who you are: stop messing with the people. I hate to... Power sometimes is not a good thing. But I hope I will not have to use it against you," Duterte said.

"Consider yourselves warned. Mend your ways now or the full force of the State shall be brought to bear upon you. I am directing all intelligence agencies to unmask the perpetrators of this economic sabotage and our law enforcement agencies to bring them to justice, he added.

The government earlier cautioned rice traders that they may face economic sabotage charges, if they will be proven hoarding rice amid reports that the government-subsidized rice stockpile is depleting.

In April, Duterte allowed the importation of the 250,000 metric tons through government-to-government scheme to boost grain stocks.

The President also eased restrictions on rice import quota, as he vented frustrations over the "half-full, half-empty" quantity of rice stock of the National Food Authority (NFA).

In his Sona, Duterte was hopeful that rice traders would cooperate with the government.

"But no amount of subsidy can help the poor if some businesses take advantage of the situation to make more money. I ask businesses to cooperate with us in charging a fair price," he said.

"We are also working on long-term solutions. On top of this agenda to lower the price of rice. We need to switch from the current quota system in importing rice to a tariff system where rice can be imported more freely," he added. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph