High prices of rice in the Philippines is inevitable, President Marcos said.
Marcos stated this, responding to a question of a letter sender if “BBM” stands for "Bigas Biglang Mahal.”
The President explained that it is unavoidable to see a rise in the prices of rice in the country, considering the increasing prices of oil that impacts cost production.
He said dealing with rice prices is not only a serious problem in the Philippines, but also in other Asian countries including top rice producers Vietnam and Thailand that are also affected by the “external shocks” such as the movement of oil prices, and other issues.
"Hindi natin maiwasan na makita na talagang nagiging problema ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bigas dito sa Pilipinas. Pero kung titignan po natin kahit na yung mga nag-e-export na mga bansa ay tumataas din ang presyo, halos katumbas lang ng pagtaas dito sa Pilipinas (It is inevitable to see that the rising prices of rice in the Philippines is becoming a serious problem. But if you look at other rice-exporting countries, the prices of rice are also almost equivalent to the Philippines)," Marcos said.
He, however, assured that the government is doing all it can to ensure a sufficient supply of rice in the market and hoped that the prices would eventually stabilize.
“Ginagawa natin lahat upang naman ang produksyon natin ay maging sapat na hindi na tayo nag-iimport, mababawasan ang mga inputs, kung tawagin para sa ating mga farmer at sana naman ay ma-stabilize man lang natin yung presyo ng bigas (We are doing everything we can to ensure an ample production so we would not have to import, decrease the inputs, and to stabilize the prices of rice),” Marcos said.
The Chief Executive answered several questions and letters received by the Office of the President from “Bahay Ugnayan,” ranging from politics, rice prices and jeepney modernization program, among other national issues through his vlog on Sunday, Feb. 25.
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