Romualdez-ordered probe on huge gap between farm gate and retail prices makes sense for 'Young Guns'
At A Glance
- Members of the so-called "Young Guns" in the House of Representatives are fully behind Speaker Martin Romualdez's order to launch a probe on the widening gap between farm gate prices and retail prices of rice and other basic goods.
Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (left), Davao Oriental 2nd district Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario (PPAB, MANILA BULLETIN)
Members of the so-called "Young Guns" in the House of Representatives are fully behind Speaker Martin Romualdez's order to launch a probe on the widening gap between farm gate prices and retail prices of rice and other basic goods.
Expressing their supporton Thursday, April 25 for the upcoming inquiry were Assistant Majority Leader Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Davao Oriental 2nd district Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario.
Adiong thanked Speaker Romualdez for paving the way for the investigation, as he believed that it would bring the concerns of Filipino farmers to the fore.
"Unfortunately, our farmers continue to be among the more vulnerable sectors of our society. That means they need all the help and attention that they can get from leaders in government. Our Speaker understands this. Ang puso niya ay para sa maliliit na Pilipino, tulad ng mga magsasaka," Adiong said.
(His heart is with the poor Filipinos, like farmers.)
Farm gate prices refer to the prices received by farmers once their crops are sold at the farm's location. Retail prices, on the other hand, are the prices that consumers pay for products, particularly in small quantities.
"This means that there is a delicate balance between farm gate prices and retail prices," said Almario, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food. The committee is scheduled to hold the investigation in aid of legislation once sessions resume next week.
"For farm gate prices to be low, and retail prices to be high is the worst case scenario since it hurts both the farmer and the consumer. If this is truly the case then House probe will nip this problem in the bud," he said.
"That's why we fully support it and I am personally eager to join the discussions and help the panel get to the bottom of the matter," Almario added.