The government is prepared to lose P2 billion to purchase all the rice produce of local farmers in a bid to improve their plight, President Duterte said Thursday.
The President said they can make the farmers “happy” once the Agriculture department embarks on domestic play procurement even though the government will be on the losing end.
“Ngayon, kung mas mahal ‘yung kanilang presyo binili ni Dar ‘di nalugi. Nalugi ang gobyerno kasi bumili ng mahal. So? Lugi tayo. Magkano? Siguro mga two billion. O ‘di lugi,” he said during his visit to an elderly wellness center in Taguig City.
“Ang mga producers napaligaya natin at nagpalugi lahat. Ang binayaran na lang natin ‘yung lugi natin. ‘Yun lang. Tutal pera man ng tao ‘yan. ‘Di bilihin mo lahat,” he added.
The President had earlier ordered the suspension of rice importation during harvest time, saying authorities should prioritize the rice purchase from farmers first. He issued the directive to help farmers reeling from the record low prices of unhusked rice following the implementation of the rice tarrification law.
Duterte, however, recenlty frowned on proposals to halt the rice tarrification law, citing the need to shore up supply since local production won’t be enough for the country’s growing population.
But a day after the President’s announcement, DA Secretary Dar clarified that the government would impose more stringent measures for importing rice. He said the President also authorized an increase in the government’s rice buffer stock to 30 days from 15 days as well as distribution of unconditional cash transfers to farmers. (Genalyn Kabiling)
