Davao mayor creates body to monitor rice

TO ENSURE the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at a reasonable price in Davao City, the City Mayor's Office (CMO) released an executive order (EO) creating the rice supply and price monitoring committee.

The EO stated that due to the recent rice shortage issues in various Philippine cities, there is a need to create a body to protect the city from such happenings.

“This committee will be taking care of the rice supply, rice concerns and complaints, and also the hoarding through monitoring and inspection of warehouses,” Davao City Councilor Marissa Abella said during the Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, said.

The committee will conduct study on the causes of price fluctuations within the city; recommend measures to address unwanted rice price increase and supply shortages; and activate hotlines and consumers’ complaints desks.

The regular monitoring and inspection of public and private markets, stores, and rice warehouses will also be a part of the function of the committee.

Meanwhile, Abella said there is also a need to focus on rice production.

“Our supply now is only 10 percent, so maybe we could expand on the mountainous area,” Abella said.

“Dako man kaayo ta ug yuta, 60 percent of our area is naa sa Marilog and Paquibato. Why dono’t we ask technology from Benguet because ang yuta didto is not really flat (We have a wide land, 60 percent of our area is in Marilog and Paquibato. Why don’t we ask technology from Benguet because the land there is not flat),” she said. (LHC)