A leader from a rice retailers association said that the national government’s 60-day suspension of all rice importation will not guarantee lower prices in Northern Mindanao.
During Cagayan de Oro Press Club’s Meet the Press on Wednesday, August 20, Engr. Franklin Dagcuta, president of Cagayan De Oro City Rice and Corn Retailers Association and United Market Vendors Association told reporters that the order may even drive prices of rice higher.
“Ang problema sa gobyerno kay gi announce nila layo pa ang deadline. Mga abtik baya niang mga negosyante nato. Mutaas gihapon ang presyo bisan ang mga rice supply nila ilang na angkat sa mas ubos nga presyo,” Dagcuta said.
He said national government should ensure a buffer supply before stopping the importation of rice.
“Ambot kung nakabantay kamo. Kada August mutaas gyud ang presyo sa bugas,” said Dagcuta.
Dagcuta claimed that 99% of rice sold in Cagayan de Oro City are imported. While a measly one percent is from local suppliers.
“Ang problema ini kay ang local suppliers kay high-end ilang bugas. At least P58 per kilo ang baligya,” he said.
On September 1, harvests from Cotabato, Valencia, and General Santos will start coming in the city’s public markets.
The Department of Agriculture-10’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD-10) has given a suggested retail price (SRP) of rice at P45. Dagcuta said they are allowed to markup at least P5 per kilo of rice from the prices they purchase from the suppliers.
“Siyempre, kung P50 kapin ang angkat namo, lisod gyud nga magka presyo ta’g ubos sa P50,” Dagcuta said.
He said local suppliers will still have to contend with overhead expenses like fuel to transport, seedlings that are not necessarily “local,” fertilizers, and such.
“Isa sa problema pud sa local suppliers kay gi-subsidize baya sa gobyerno ang mga palay farmers at a higher rate. Nganong mag milling pa man siya nga dako na man daan ang palit sa gobyerno sa palay pa lang,” Dagcuta said.
