Slow release of imported rice hit

Inquirer file photo/Edwin Bacasmas

MANILA, Philippines — Rice watch group Bantay Bigas and farmers organization Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women said on Monday the government should hold accountable those involved in rice hoarding and smuggling after the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said that 888 containers vans containing around 23 million kilograms of imported rice had been sitting in Manila ports for months

Cathy Estavillo, Amihan secretary general and Bantay Bigas spokesperson said it was time to combat the alleged collusion, as some have been profiting from the illegal act at the expense of farmers and consumers.

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“If the issue of hoarding or overstaying containers of imported rice in Manila ports was not exposed, it is possible that old or aging rice stocks could still be sold to Filipino consumers or through Kadiwa centers,” she said.

“The people should unite to fight this illegal activity because it is possible that these sacks of rice are no longer fit for human consumption,” she added.

The groups also reiterated their previous call for the repeal of the Rice Tariffication Law, Executive Order No. 62, and other laws and policies that liberalized the agriculture sector.