Lower rice prices predicted by July

THE Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (Prism) predicted lower rice prices by July.

Orly Manuntag, Prism co-founder, said in a press briefing on Monday he expected the per-kilo price of rice to range between P42 and P46 once the tariff on imported rice is reduced.

Earlier Monday, House Speaker Martin Romualdez met with Prism officials led by Mamuntag and its founder and lead convenor Rowena Sadicon.

National Food Authority (NFA) Officer in Charge Larry Lacson, House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Elizaldy Co, House Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairman Mark Enverga, and House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo were also at the meeting.

Sadicon and Manuntag told Romualdez that their group was heeding the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Romualdez for a whole-of-nation approach to reduce the price of rice and make quality rice affordable and available to all Filipinos.

«Handa po kaming tumulong sa gobyerno para maramdaman agad ng mga kababayan namin ang magandang epekto ng pagbaba ng tariff sa bigas (We are ready to help the government so that our countrymen can immediately feel the positive effect of the reduction of the tariff on rice),» Manuntag said.

On June 29, the President issued Executive Order (EO) 62, slashing the tariff on imported rice to 15 percent from 35 percent.

The EO will take effect on July 6.

Romualdez assured local farmers that the government will continue its support to improve their productivity.