Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol gave a simple yet straightforward message to rice traders: “Do your business with a conscience.”
Secretary Piñol is referring to the liberalization of rice importation via the enactment of Republic Act No. 11203. While the measure is intended to arrest the rice shortage in the country, there is also the danger of over-importation which could result to imbalance in the supply market. The end result is depression of rice prices in the market which, in the long run, will affect the local farmers. The latter will be at the losing end of the oversupply which is something the government does not wish to happen. However, it could be inevitable. The Agriculture chief further warned that the toll on local farmers would create a big dent which could result to them being vulnerable to what he calls as “the enticement of radical groups who would like to destabilize (the) government.”
But that is going further.
To simplify matters, rice traders must heed to the plea and take proactive steps so that the measure will yield positive results to all parties involved from the rice traders to the consumers and local farmers. These importers are the key to attaining rice sufficiency in the country but they must do it with a conscience.
Looking closely at the rice situation in figures, there is an anticipated shortfall of about 1.6 to 2.0 million metric tons (MT) every year in order to reach food sufficiency despite intensified local production. For 2019, the DA is targeting 20 million MT rice production or 93-percent rice sufficiency. This, amidst the El Niño that affected the country’s rice-producing provinces. Hence, RA 11203 which grants traders permit to import rice by simply procuring a sanitary and phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and pay the tariff rate.
The caveat, nevertheless, is to manage the importation without abuse. While profit is the motivation for businessmen to engage in rice importation, there is also the moral obligation to keep the supply within absorptive levels.
What the DA could possibly suffice to add, more than the plea, is to issue a similar warning to those who violate the provisions of import liberalization that the law will fully be implemented in the interest of protecting consumers and local farmers. Some big, stubborn businesses don’t heed pleas when allowed by law to do something they are not used to doing.
