Arroyo wants info on rice, corn, sugar imports bared to public

Former President and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. AP File Photo

MANILA — Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants the government to publish all information on imports of basic commodities like rice, corn and sugar to prevent supply manipulation.

She said full disclosure of government contracts on basic commodities would “help prevent collusion and cartel, serve as a check against over-importation of basic commodities such as rice and corn, and aid in the collection of tariffs per metric ton.”

“The people have the right to know the factors that influence food supply and prices,” Arroyo, also one of the House deputy speakers, said in a bill she filed recently.

Her proposed House Bill 4141 orders the agriculture and trade departments and the National Food Authority to publish all information on importation permits granted for basic commodities such as rice, corn and sugar.

The information should include the name and address of the importer, name and address of the supplier, country of origin of the import per shipment, date of contract of import, contracted price, and value or cost of import.

Arroyo said “classified information” would be exempted from publication such as those deemed to be of national security interest, involved in law enforcement or crime investigation and those considered by the Department of Foreign Affairs to possibly jeopardize the country’s diplomatic relations.  SFM