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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Erwin Tulfo calls out DA as rice prices remain high

Erwin Tulfo calls out DA as rice prices remain high

Published Dec 7, 2023 02:04 am

At A Glance

  • ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has expressed concerns over the Department of Agriculture's (DA) unfulfilled promise of lowered rice prices during the holiday season. 

FB_IMG_1700193787550.jpgACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has expressed concerns over the Department of Agriculture's (DA) unfulfilled promise of lowered rice prices during the holiday season.

Tulfo, the deputy majority leader for communications in the House of Representatives, attended on Wednesday, Dec. 6 a hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food on the prices of rice and eggs.

DA and National Food Authority (NFA) officials also took part in the hearing, which was initiated following the recent surprise visit of Speaker Martin Romualdez and Tulfo's at Farmers Market in Cubao, Quezon City, to assess the prices of essential commodities.

Tulfo noted that despite the promised stabilization, rice prices have remained elevated, fluctuating between P52 and P60 per kilogram.

“Whatever happened to that promise na bababa [ang presyo ng bigas] (that prices of rice will go down), because people were waiting? Bakit hindi po bumaba? (Why didn't prices go down?)” Tulfo asked.

NFA chief Roderico Bioco cited key factors contributing to the surge in rice prices, including a shortfall in production between 2021 and 2022; low fertilizer uptake among farmers, which has affected yields; and international factors such as Indonesia's announcement to buy two million tons of rice.

He mentioned that the combination of these factors, along with import parity being higher than the landed cost, has resulted in higher rice prices in the local market. Rice is the Filipino staple food.

Speaker Romualdez had said that Congress was bent on making sure that traders do not take advantage of the holiday season to jack up prices of basic commodities.

“The Christmas season is meant to be a time of giving and compassion, and we want to make sure that prices of goods are affordable to a great majority of our people,” he said.

In the same hearing, Tulfo also voiced concerns about escalating prices of chicken eggs--a breakfast staple. The party-list solon says many Filipino households are affected by this.

He underscored the need for prompt action to address the issue and make eggs more affordable for the public, particularly those who rely on eggs as a primary source of morning sustenance.

Stakeholders present at the hearing collectively called for efficient and timely measures to alleviate the burden on consumers and ensure the continued viability of egg production.

Related Tags

Department of Agriculture (DA) ACT-CIS partylist ACT-CIS Party-list Rice prices
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