Palace urges farmers to report traders taking advantage of P20 rice program
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Palace urges farmers to report traders taking advantage of P20 rice program
Farmers harvest rice in San Jose, Tarlac on October 9, 2018. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday warned that it will file charges against rice traders using the government’s subsidized rice program to lowball farmers.
MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday warned that it will file charges against rice traders using the government’s subsidized rice program to lowball farmers.
Agriculture industry group SINAG has flagged farm gate prices of P8 to 12 per kilo of palay, or unmilled rice, in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan — below the production cost of P13/kg.
Agriculture industry group SINAG has flagged farm gate prices of P8 to 12 per kilo of palay, or unmilled rice, in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan — below the production cost of P13/kg.
The lower palay prices have been attributed to lower prices of imported rice. The government has removed the cap on imported rice but subjects these to tariffs.
The lower palay prices have been attributed to lower prices of imported rice. The government has removed the cap on imported rice but subjects these to tariffs.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said traders cannot use the government's cheap rice program to justify buying palay at lower prices, adding the Department of Agriculture has said there is no reason for the program to affect local palay prices.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said traders cannot use the government's cheap rice program to justify buying palay at lower prices, adding the Department of Agriculture has said there is no reason for the program to affect local palay prices.
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Castro urged farmers to immediately report unscrupulous traders to authorities so they can file the appropriate charges.
Castro urged farmers to immediately report unscrupulous traders to authorities so they can file the appropriate charges.
"Sabihin lamang po sa amin sa DA, sa [Department of Interior and Local Government], sa [Department of Justice] at kami po ang magdedemanda sa mga traders na umaabuso,” she said.
"Sabihin lamang po sa amin sa DA, sa [Department of Interior and Local Government], sa [Department of Justice] at kami po ang magdedemanda sa mga traders na umaabuso,” she said.
(They can report to the DA, DILG, to the DOJ, and we will file the cases against abusive traders)
(They can report to the DA, DILG, to the DOJ, and we will file the cases against abusive traders)
She said farmers should not be afraid to report incidents as long as they have evidence against the traders.
She said farmers should not be afraid to report incidents as long as they have evidence against the traders.
“Maaari po kasi itong maging kaso na economic sabotage kaya huwag po kayo mag-abili na magsumbong sa amin,” she continued.
“Maaari po kasi itong maging kaso na economic sabotage kaya huwag po kayo mag-abili na magsumbong sa amin,” she continued.
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(This could constitute a case of economic sabotage, so they should not hesitate to report that to us)
(This could constitute a case of economic sabotage, so they should not hesitate to report that to us)
The Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act includes "threatening local production and food security, [and] gaining excessive or exorbitant profits by exploiting situations" in its definition of economic sabotage, but does not have specific penalties for buying produce below production cost.
The Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act includes "threatening local production and food security, [and] gaining excessive or exorbitant profits by exploiting situations" in its definition of economic sabotage, but does not have specific penalties for buying produce below production cost.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr earlier assured rice farmers in Nueva Ecija that the government’s P20/kg rice program will not affect the National Food Authority’s buying price of palay of P19 to P23 per kilogram of dry palay and P18/kg for wet palay.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr earlier assured rice farmers in Nueva Ecija that the government’s P20/kg rice program will not affect the National Food Authority’s buying price of palay of P19 to P23 per kilogram of dry palay and P18/kg for wet palay.
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