“RESOLVE food security or abolish your agency.” This was the challenge of businessman Philip Tan to the officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) who he said, are not doing their jobs in addressing the country’s food security.
Tan, who is the past president of Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said all these issues on rice and fish importation just to taper off inflation all boil down to the inefficiencies of government policies.
“No country will ever survive without food security. We are an agriculture producing country and yet we are not going anywhere,” said Tan, adding that he is tired of the DA’s excuses, pointing at weather disturbances, for example, as one of the causes of low agricultural production.
Tan said the country cannot continue importing basic agricultural products like rice and fish when the value of the Philippine peso is weaker than the US dollar.
“The issue on food security is a critical issue for us businessmen because it is intertwined with wage increase,” said Tan, who is also a member of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) 7.
He explained that when the prices of basic commodities increase, labor groups rally immediately for a salary hike. He said that if the hike is approved, business owners normally pass on this cost to consumers, which only increases the prices of products and services.
“But when any wage hike is being opposed, we are the ones put in the bad light. We are the punching bag. The business sector is paying taxes too, so government must also do its part,” said Tan.
He admitted that the minimum wage of P386 is not enough to cover daily expenses, given the high prices in the market. He wants the government to intervene before labor groups ask for another wage hike.
“I am willing to join the labor group and the private sector to rally against DA. I will fully support this,” said Tan.
In Manila, opposition leaders called for the firing of DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, National Food Authority Administrator Jason Aquino and other NFA officials for the ongoing rice crisis.
Vice President Leni Robredo, who held a press conference with members of the Liberal Party yesterday, suggested assigning a “good and trustworthy leader” at the NFA and ensuring the process of rice importation is “fair, clean and honest” to ensure the price stabilizes.
In a statement, Robredo asked for the suspension of the provision in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion that puts an excise tax on crude oil and review of the unconditional cash transfer.
“Inamin din naman ng DOF (Department of Finance) na hindi nila inasahan ang ganito kalaking pagtaas ng inflation. Mula sa kanilang pahayag, malinaw na panahon na para tingnan muli kung nararapat pa ba ang buwis sa krudo. Kailangan din nating tingnan kung sapat pa ba ang P200 na unconditional cash transfer, at kung kailangan itaas pa ito. (The DOF also admitted that they did not expect such an increase in inflation. From their statement, it’s time to look back on whether the crude tax is still appropriate. We also need to check if the P200 unconditional cash transfer is enough, and if it is needed, to raise it.”) She also asked that social protection initiatives such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program be expanded and that government agencies such as the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Philippine Crop Insurance Inc. be fixed.
Economist Jesus Estanislao said the country has to become self-sufficient to protect itself from the trade wars happening in the global market.
During his talk before the business community of Mandaue City, Estanislao stressed the need for the government to develop its sources from within to lessen its dependency on imported rice, fruits and vegetables, seafood and other resources.
Estanislao, who is a former finance and socioeconomic planning secretary, said trade wars between China and the US, and even the aging population of Japan, areposing a threat to global growth. (KOC & MEA)