00:00Some congressmen are asking for a return to the executive order that will lower the price of rice.
00:08They said that it is difficult to lower the price of rice,
00:12and that only the importers are affected.
00:15This was reported by Maki Pulido.
00:21In order to make rice cheaper, rice importers will lower the price of rice in July.
00:26Under the executive order of President Marcos,
00:28from a 35% rice tariff, it will be lowered to 15%.
00:32That's why the question was asked to the 5th Committee in the House
00:36that came together to investigate the price of food.
00:39Why are you only lowering the price of rice by a few cents,
00:42even though the tariff has already fallen and the price of rice in the world market is also decreasing?
00:47Why, Mr. Chair?
00:48According to the PSA, only 0.44 cents were lowered.
00:54They are playing with our hands that we haven't seen yet.
01:01The average price of rice in the market is now P55 per kilo.
01:05If true, NEDA expects to lower the tariff by P7 to P10.
01:10That's why the price of rice per kilo is now playing at P41 to P44.
01:15Depending on where rice is imported,
01:17its landed price is only at P38 to P40,
01:21according to the Bureau of Customs.
01:23It also shows that there is no shortage that can increase the price of rice.
01:28The volume of rice that is being imported has also increased.
01:31But the Department of Agriculture admitted that it does not force importers to sell their rice to the market,
01:37even if it can help lower the price.
01:40Don't you see that as hoarding, holding back P80,000?
01:45Just an example.
01:46With regards to hoarding, I cannot comment.
01:49But we are explaining to them about their utilization.
01:54In the first hearing of the KINTA Committee,
01:56it has not yet been concluded as to why the price of rice is still high.
02:01But one of the arguments is to repeal the executive order that lowered the tariff of imported rice.
02:08It should be reviewed and reversed because it seems useless to lower the tariff.
02:14Who is benefiting from the tariff reduction?
02:18Is it the importer or is it the consumer?
02:22It is likely that it is the importers.
02:24For GMA Integrated News, Mackie Pulido, for Tutok, 24 hours.
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