00:00The Department of Agriculture clarified imported rice stocks are enough,
00:04stressing there are no reasons for retailers to increase their prices.
00:07Arvel Custodio reports.
00:11Palay farm kit price has increased by up to 4 pesos a few days before the implementation
00:16of the 60-day importation ban on rice,
00:19based on the data of the National Food Authority and Philippine Rice Research Institute.
00:23This is part of government's objective,
00:25following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive on the rice import ban is starting September.
00:31But even before the 60-day import ban begins,
00:34the price of imported rice in Marquette has risen up to 2 pesos per kilo.
00:38Yung delivered po sa amin nung nakaraang araw, mga 3 days passing,
00:42tumasana mga 20 pesos pero 25 kilos.
00:46Despite this, sales of the 20 pesos rice from the National Food Authority are increasing.
00:50The Department of Agriculture clarified that there is still a high number of imported rice stocks
01:02continuously entering the country just days before the importation ban.
01:06Thus, the price of imported rice should not be increasing.
01:09Ano yan? Price is speculation.
01:12Kasi yung reason kasi nila na sinasabi, wala na raw imported na bigas.
01:18Gusto natin yung pabulaanan kasi in fact,
01:21alaki ng pumasok na bigas sa atin,
01:24April-May, more than 500,000 bawat buwan.
01:28So normally, nasa 300,000 metric tons lang pada buwan.
01:32Yung August, as of mid-August,
01:35meron pang pumasok na more than 200,000 metric tons.
01:38At siyempre, ina-expect natin matatagdagan pa yan hanggang bago.
01:43Mag-start ang ban ng import by September 1.
01:48The DA, Department of Trade Industry, and the police are roaming with their regular inspections
01:52to track down those promoting price manipulation.
01:56According to the DA,
01:57more than 11 million metric tons of palai are also expected to be harvested in the upcoming harvest season.
02:03Once a 60-day import ban takes effect,
02:05the DA will work with the Bureau of Customs to ensure no imported rice leaves into the country.
02:10Of course, una, hindi yan i-issuehan ng SPSIC ng Bureau of Plant Industry,
02:17ang agency na namamahala sa SPSIC issuances.
02:23At pangalawa, of course, we have to coordinate with Bureau of Customs sa ating mga pantalan.
02:30Of course, ganoon din sa ating mga investigative at saka doon sa intelligence community
02:36para tingnan at mabusisi yung mga posibleng gumawa ng smuggling.
02:45Kasi pag talagang yung mga 5%, 10%, 15% broken, hanggang 25% broken,
02:51pag pumasok yan sa panahon ng ban, smuggled yan.
02:54Only special rice varieties will be allowed to enter the country during the importation ban.
02:59Vel custodio for the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
