DUE to the reduction of the tariff on imported rice, it is expected that the price of rice will also decrease by P6 in the coming weeks.
This was discussed in the meeting called by House Speaker Martin Romualdez in Makati which was attended by officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs, and representatives of the SM Grocery Chain and Puregold.
According to the Speaker, “We are hoping na mararamdaman natin ang epekto ng pagbaba ng presyo ng bigas dahil sa pagbawas sa taripa sa Hulyo.”
“Hindi kayang i-implement this month ang murang bigas kasi may mga stocks pa ang mga traders na mahal ang pagkakabili nila ng bigas kaya kailangang ubusin muna ang stock nila,” the leader of Congress added.
Based on the estimate of DA and DTI, the price of rice will be reduced by P5 to P6 per kilo because of the tariff reduction.
Romualdez also allayed the fears of some farmer groups that the country might be flooded with imported rice due to the reduction of the rice tariff.
“Kontrolado pa rin ng DA ang bilang ng pagpasok ng bigas sa bansa dahil sa import permit na iisyu nito,” Romualdez said.
The lawmaker further added, “Target ng Pang. BBM na maibaba ang presyo ng bigas sa lalong madaling panahon.”