Consumers stick to supply issue as study backs shortfall data

DESPITE all the billions of pesos of funds reported to have been spent by the government on agriculture, many farmers still resort to primitive farming techniques, like drying palay on roads, such as this one in San Miguel, Bulacan. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

LUCENA CITY—Consumers here appear to be focused on only one issue when it comes to rice—enough supply.

It appears not to matter to market goers here whether it is imported or local, as long as there’s rice to buy at reasonable prices.

“We’re not choosy when it comes to rice,” said housewife Soledad Maximo in a random interview at the public market here.

“As long as it is cheap, readily available and does not smell, it is OK, even if it is imported or homegrown,” she said.

Another market goer said she was willing to pay higher for rice as long as there was supply. “Imported or local, it doesn’t matter. Just sell it,” said Anita Mendez, a mother of four.

Mendez, however, said the National Food Authority should enforce laws against dealers cheating consumers. “Some mix special rice with the cheap ones and sprinkle them with an odor enhancer,” said Mendez.

The continued increase in rice prices has become a contentious issue among government officials and legislators.

Dr. Roehlano Briones, senior research fellow from government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said that in a study, rice sufficiency targets from agriculture officials appear to be off the mark.

In his study, Briones said rice prices are higher than what is “enjoyed by the rest of the world” because “our domestic production is not enough to meet demand.”

Briones’ study comes in the wake of a recommendation to President Aquino by the National Economic and Development Authority on the need to import at least 500,000 metric tons of rice to fill the gap in supply.

The President, however, had rejected the proposal.

Briones, citing the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics figures from 2010 to 2012, projected a shortfall of at least 3 million MT.

“This implies shortage,” said Briones in his study. “If this is not closed by importation, shortage pushes up prices,” he said.

Briones urged the government to allow the private sector to import rice “subject to reasonable government regulations.”