Rice is the top staple food of Filipinos. INQUIRER.net stock images
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday directed government agencies to make sure rice policies are rigidly implemented.
He issued the order in a speech at a rice distribution activity in Malate, Manila.
Marcos led the distribution of smuggled rice to “around 1,000” beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Each beneficiary received 25 kilos of rice, which came from a Zamboanga warehouse previously raided by government agents. The seized rice from the warehouse is worth P42 million.
Marcos assured recipients that the rice is safe for consumption as it was thoroughly checked by the government.
“Inaatasan ko ang lahat ng mga opisyal, mga awtoridad, at mga ahensya na higpitan ng husto ang pagpapatupad ng polisiya at batas hinggil sa isyu ng bigas,” Marcos said in his speech.
(I instruct all officials, authorities, and agencies to strictly enforce the policy and law regarding the issue of rice.)
READ: Marcos orders more raids of rice warehouses
The President also said the distribution of confiscated smuggled rice proves that the government is serious about controlling rice prices by going after agricultural smugglers and hoarders.
READ: Gov’t asked: Why still no rice smugglers charged?
“Magsisilbing babala rin po ito sa lahat ng mga smuggler at mga hoarder na ang bigas sa bansa ay ating babantayan. Sa ‘Bagong Pilipinas’, bawal ang smuggler, bawal ang hoarder, at bawal din ang mapangabuso na mapagsamatala sa ating bayan,” said Marcos.
(This will also serve as a warning to all smugglers and hoarders that we will protect the country’s rice. In the “New Philippines,” the smuggler is not allowed, the hoarder is not permitted, and even abusers who take advantage are not allowed in our country.)