00:00Some lawmakers approved the declaration of the National Food Security Emergency
00:05to lower the price of rice.
00:07Details on this were brought to you by Daniel Manalastas of PTV Manila.
00:14Supported by some senators, the Department of Agriculture
00:17is not opposed to the declaration of the National Food Security Emergency.
00:22According to Senate President Francis Escudero,
00:24everything must be done to lower the price of rice,
00:28which is responsible for the big effect on the number of inflation.
00:32For Senate Minority Leader Coco Pimentel,
00:35it's better for our countrymen to benefit from rice from the warehouses of the NFA
00:40than for it to just expire or rot.
00:42The NFA is intended to buy rice from local farmers.
00:46And the NFA should ensure that it pays a high and profitable price for these.
00:53Not to mention the possible egg shortage and rising prices
00:57Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Agriculture Department
01:00to be careful to avoid the entry of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
01:06While the senator recognizes the effort of the D.A.,
01:09it should prioritize the protection of our local industry.
01:14The D.A. should also help local poultry farmers
01:18to ensure that the supply of poultry products is sufficient and affordable.
01:23From PTV, Daniel Manalastas, Balitang Pagbansa.
