Gov’t working to stabilize supply, prices of rice, garlic, ginger—Palace

A man walks past at the commercial rice in front of a warehouse in Dagupan Street, Tutuban in Manila on Sunday. Commercial rice prices are expected to go up by P1 to P2 per kilo during the lean months beginning this June according to National Food Authority (NFA) said. NINO JESUS ORBETA/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang said on Tuesday that the government has been “exerting all efforts” to ensure the stable supply of rice, garlic, and ginger amid reports of an “unusual” spike in prices.

“Surveillance is being carried out to discourage hoarding and other practices that could lead to artificial shortage,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a press conference.

Coloma said those behind the artificial shortage of these commodities would be made accountable.

Rolling stores have started selling rice, ginger, and garlic while the National Price Coordinating Council has been directed to closely monitor the price movements, Coloma said.

The inter-agency body is led by Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo.

Coloma said the Council “may prescribe indicative prices, if needed,” similar to the suggested retail prices applied only to manufactured goods.

“Our assessment of the situation is we need to address the supply situation most importantly because stable supply is the best deterrent to artificial shortages and unusual spike in prices,” Coloma said.

The Department of Agriculture in April said the country missed its 100-percent target of rice self-sufficiency for 2013, but nonetheless meeting a 90-percent self-sufficiency rate.

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