In a recent statement, Albay Representative Joey Salteca, co-chair of the House Murang Pagkain Supercommittee, called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to take robust measures against rice price manipulation. He emphasized the urgency of using existing legal frameworks to combat market abuses that are driving up rice prices, affecting Filipino families.
Salceda criticized the DA’s apparent helplessness in dealing with price manipulators, who he believes are taking advantage of the situation. He pointed out that the supercommittee has identified several laws, including Republic Act 509, which could be activated during a ‘rice emergency’ to empower the DA to tackle price manipulation effectively.
He referenced historical precedents, such as President Quirino’s declaration of a rice emergency in 1948, to argue for the mobilization of these laws. Salceda also advocated for a comprehensive government strategy, including post-clearance inspections of import warehouses and random market checks, to curb economic impunity in the rice market.
Speaker Martin Romualdez supported this call to action by proposing the creation of a multi-agency task force to pursue rice price manipulators and unscrupulous traders. This task force would include members from the DA, Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Department of Trade and Industry.
Romualdez suggested that the task force should have the authority to conduct inventories, enforce tax compliance, inspect warehouses, and shut down non-compliant businesses. He also proposed that the task force report monthly to Congress to maintain oversight.
Both Salceda and Romualdez expressed frustration over the persistent high rice prices, which they believe should have decreased due to ample supply and lower import costs. They highlighted findings from the Quinta Comm hearings that revealed price-fixing and hoarding by rice importers and traders, which they described as a betrayal of public trust.
The leaders vowed to dismantle the rice cartel, hold those responsible accountable, and protect both consumers and farmers from further exploitation.