President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the government had to first crack down on rice smuggling and corrupt import practices before launching the P20-per-kilo rice initiative, which wasn’t feasible early in his term.
Speaking on the BBM Podcast aired Monday, Marcos Jr. explained why the program is being rolled out only midway through his presidency.
“Noong 2022, 2023, hindi pa namin kayang gawin,“ the President said, pointing to widespread smuggling and over-importation as key factors driving up rice prices.
“Ang katotohanan, ang nakita namin ang pang-control doon sa presyo ng bigas ay ang smuggled na bigas. Kaya nagho-hoard,” he added, referring to recent raids that uncovered large stocks of hoarded rice.
Marcos Jr. revealed that some public officials were complicit in smuggling operations.
“Dahil ang nag-i-i-smuggle mga opisyal din ng gobyerno. Kumikita sila. O ‘di bakit nila papalitan? Sige, pasok lang sila nang pasok. Hindi nila iniintindi ang production. Hindi nila iniintindi ‘yung sistema. Hindi nila iniintindi ang presyo ng palay, ang presyo ng bigas, ang kikitain ng magsasaka. Wala, walang ganoon,” he pointed out.
The Chief Executive said the administration also needed time to implement reforms and improve rice production systems.
“So ngayon lang namin nabuo lahat,” he also said.
Last week, low-income families began accessing P20-per-kilo rice through Kadiwa centers in Metro Manila and Calabarzon.IMT
