Pag-angkat ng bigas ng pribadong sektor, inirekomenda ng DA sa pagtalakay ng Kamara
Pag-angkat ng bigas ng pribadong sektor, inirekomenda ng DA sa pagtalakay ng Kamara;
Ilang kongresista, umalma sa mga panukala ng DA na anila’y nakasentro lang sa importasyon
Ilang kongresista, umalma sa mga panukala ng DA na anila’y nakasentro lang sa importasyon
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Some congressmen have approved the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture to import rice.
00:05 But according to the DA, this is not yet possible.
00:08 They are preparing a different strategy to strengthen local production.
00:13 Rod Laguzad is the reporter.
00:15 Because of the rapid increase in the supply of rice in the country,
00:22 the discussion of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food was centered on the issue of importation and rice self-sufficiency.
00:30 Some congressmen approved the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture to import rice.
00:36 You want to ask DFA to ask Vietnam, Thailand, and India.
00:41 And then you want to extend EO10 to lower the tariff of imported rice.
00:52 You are all just importing.
00:54 Your recommendation is a flag of surrender.
00:58 Australia needs to help because importation is not always the answer.
01:03 Hunger in Metro Manila went up from 10.7 to 15.7 because of our dependence on imports.
01:10 Because imports are more expensive than local production.
01:15 That is more, I think, that is the gut issue here.
01:19 Our rice prices, our rice production, the entire rice demand and supply and pricing dynamics has resulted in an increase in hunger.
01:28 The DA's recommendation is to increase the private sector to 300,000 metric tons of rice by the end of August
01:36 and to add 300,000 metric tons in the first to second week of September.
01:41 The DA also wants to increase the 500,000 metric tons of rice from November 15 to the third week of January
01:49 as a preparation for the effects of El Niño.
01:52 This includes the issue of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance of Bureau Plant Industries within seven days
01:59 and the creation of a super green lane for imported rice until February.
02:04 Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Zumbilla explained that this is not a long-term solution
02:10 because the rice imported is just a few.
02:13 These recommendations are just really to stop gap.
02:17 What the DA is really doing is to increase our production.
02:24 But during this period, there are limitations, there is a period limit.
02:29 So that the price of our rice will not really increase.
02:34 But the DA's recommendation is really under production.
02:38 Undersecretary Lucadio Sebastian said that they will change their strategy.
02:43 We should focus on improving the productivity of our local production.
02:48 And that is actually what we aim to do.
02:51 We now have to recognize that we have to adapt to climate change.
02:56 Whether we like it or not, we have to change.
02:59 If you will support us, Mr. Chair, we would like to move our main rice crop from the wet season to the dry season.
03:10 According to the DA, they are already working with the National Irrigation Administration
03:14 to maximize rice production during this time that will help in lean months.
03:19 If not including the ending stock of last year,
03:22 the estimated production of rice is 13.1 million metric tons by 2023.
03:28 It is lower than the estimated 14.83 million metric tons demand.
03:32 That is why the group called for support of local rice production
03:36 to help farmers and avoid relying on importation.
03:41 Rod Laguzed, for the Morning Show of the City, Rice and Shine, Philippines.