Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the implementation of suggested retail prices for rice was a mere ‘stop-gap’ measure as he urged fellow legislators to pass the Rice Tariffication Bill to stop abuses by some traders. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
While he supports the implementation of sanctions against erring rice traders and retailers, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian believes that such move is just a “stop-gap” measure.
Instead, the senator on Monday pushed for “permanent” solutions, including the passage of the rice tariffication bill at the soonest possible time.
“I fully support the administration’s move to impose sanctions on rice traders and retailers who are caught selling at prices above the suggested retail price (SRP) for local and imported rice,” Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on economic affair, said in a statement.
He said he also approved of plan to impose an SRP Program that would cover the entire country.
“Kailangang maparusahan ang mga taong sinasamantala ang kakulangan sa bigas upang kumita dahil lalong naghihirap ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap,” he said.
“Having said that, however, the implementation of sanctions against erring traders and retailers is just a stop-gap measure. We must also pursue more permanent solutions, such as the passage of the rice tariffication bill and its immediate implementation as law,” the senator added.
Gathcalian then prodded his colleagues to immediately pass the bill.
“I am urging my colleagues in the Senate to pass this very timely bill at the soonest possible time para naman magbigyan na ng ginhawa ang mga nagugutom nating kababayan at upang matigil na rin ang pananamantala ng ilang rice traders at retailers,” the senator said.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier warned that the National Food Authority (NFA) might revoke the licenses of rice traders and retailers who would not follow the newly implemented SRPs on rice. /cbb
READ: https://business.inquirer.net/259870/govt-warns-rice-retailers-on-prices