RICE is a staple food in every Filipino household.
However, the price of rice continues to rise in the markets, causing concern among Filipinos, especially those relying on affordable basic commodities.
But, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has good news for Filipinos.
In August, irrigators associations benefitting the governments support plans to sell rice at P29/kg at Kadiwa outlets of the NIA.
NIA Administrator Engineer Eduardo Guillen also mentioned NIA’s big contract farming project in collaboration of Philmech, PhilRice, the National Rice Program, and others which could also offer lower rice prices to the public.
Two types of rice seeds were used in planting that are drought-resistant or can survive during the dry season.
“The hybrids or inbreds, or some other farmers have hybrids and inbreds. You know, because these 40,000 hectares are all over the Philippines. So, there are sites where farmers want as a partner, along with PhilRice,” Engr. Eduardo Guillen, Administrator NIA said.
NIA Administrator Engineer Eduardo Guillen said that they expect to harvest around 100,000 metric tons or rice or 100 million sacks in July.
“Our supply for this will come from the contract farming with NIA. So, our harvest will start in July. And hopefully by August, we can already sell to our Kadiwa centers,” added Guillen.
“However, there are still some of our fellow countrymen who do not believe in these kinds of promises, especially regarding the so-called cheap rice. Because until now, they still do not feel the promise of President Bongbong Marcos of P20/kg rice,” Guillen said.
“That won’t happen. Prices are high now and they’re not really going down. Rice is at P60, sometimes even lower at P40, which is twice the price from before,” Christian, restaurant’s owner.
“You’re not believable. Just reduce the amount per measurement a bit so we can recover the capital because rice prices are high now. What I’m saying is, it’s P60/kg now because nothing’s cheap,” Christian added.
“I don’t believe it, or if there is, you can’t eat it because it’s all dirty, like that, you can hardly eat it. I don’t believe that P40 is good, how much more P29. It’s really difficult,” Edita, restaurant’s owner.
“Everything has increased. I am calling on President Marcos to take action on the rising prices, almost everything is going up. Nothing is going down. I just don’t want to compare the administration then and now. I don’t think they are really serious about addressing that. That’s why it’s just promises. They’re not really serious about addressing it. Their focus is different. It’s on their own — you know, interests, not for the masses, not for preparing for the upcoming elections. They’re already ruining each other, they’re not focused on what’s really happening now, what should be prioritized, like the inflation rate, which has risen too fast,” she added.
