MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered the import of rice to secure the country’s rice supply but has also tasked the police to investigate the possibility of cartels manipulating the prices of commodities.
The President aired his suspicion about a cartel that is manipulating the prices of certain agricultural products like rice, garlic and ginger. He ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the possibility that there are cartels manipulating the prices of commodities.
“Meron rin yatang nagsasamantala at uulitin ko, suspicion ito, na bagamat kumpleto ang supply, wala kang nakikitang palengke na walang naibebenta. Mukhang may mga nakitang mababa ang supply ng NFA at sabi nila, baka para ito ang panahon na puwede tayong magtaas ng presyo artificially,” the President told reporters here Friday.
“Inatasan natin ang NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) na makipagtulungan sa PNP (Philippine National Police) na talagang siyasatin nang masinsinan itong posibilidad na may mga tinatawag na cartel, …at magsampa ng kaukulang kaso,” he said.
He also tasked the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to study the current problem on food security.
According to reports, rice production has increased by four percent, while consumption has risen by five percent.
“May diperensiya ng one percent, at medyo malaki-laki ang one percent na ‘yon. So lalo nating papaigtingin ang agrikultura,” he said, adding that he has likewise instructed the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to use satellite imagery to determine the size of rice farms in the country and estimate their average production.
He also warned those taking advantage of the situation that the government would import more agricultural products so hoarders would not profit from their illegal activities.
“So uulitin ko lang, nag-i-import tayo para kung meron ngang magsasamantala, yung itatago nila yung kanilang supply, may pampalit tayo doon at siguraduhin nating malulugi sila sa ginagawa nila,” he warned
