INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Monday said the government is hoping for the arrival of imported rice to increase supply and in turn stabilize prices.
“Inaasahan nilang (National Food Authority) mag-i-stabilize ito kapag dumating na ‘yung inangkat na bigas mula sa ibang bansa, at inaasahan nilang mag-i-stabilize ang presyo sa susunod na dalawang buwan,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a televised press briefing.
(The NFA is expecting prices to stabilize when rice imported from other countries arrive, and they expect prices will stabilize in the next two months.)
Coloma assured the public that the NFA, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry are monitoring the movement of prices of basic commodities.
He said ginger and garlic, which also exhibited price fluctuation, have suggested retail prices.
“Hihintayin natin ang mas komprehensibong pag-aaral at ulat ng Department of Agriculture dahil tungkulin nilang tiyakin na mayroong stable production and supply. At ‘yung DTI naman, sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila, na ‘yung mga presyong umiiral ay hindi labis o walang katwiran,” he said.
(We will wait for the comprehensive report of the DA because it is their responsibility to ensure stable production and supply. We are also coordinating with DTI, which will determine if the prices are not exorbitant.)
The NFA earlier said that prices of rice have increased by P2 per kilo.
On Sunday, Coloma explained that prices of crops increased during lean months because of tight supply. They are expected to go down once harvest and planting season begins.
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