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Long queues create a ‘false sense of supply shortage,’ the agriculture department says
MANILA, Philippines – Long queues formed in government areas selling P20 per kilo rice as the Middle East conflict pushed up the price of the basic commodity.
“We have seen all over the country that the lines are getting longer,” National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Larry Lacson said in a mix of Filipino and English on Monday, March 16. “Actually, I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but sometimes native start queuing the night before.”
The government distributes subsidized rice and sells it at P20/kilo. These are sold mainly in Kadiwa centers across the country. The beneficiaries of the program are the elderly, people with disabilities, low-income families, single parents, farmers, fishermen, low wage earners, and public transport workers.
The long lines create a “misrepresentation of supply shortages,” according to a statement from the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Sunday, March 15.
Secretary of Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. he said they understand that the war between the United States and Israel in Iran is causing concern among Filipinos. (READ: How are Filipino farmers, fishermen affected by the Middle East crisis?)
“But acting out of fear will only make it worse,” Laurel said. “We have enough rice buffer and a good harvest.”
President of Food Terminal Incorporated Joseph Lo said they have extended distribution hours to accommodate those who lined up.
NFA still has a good supply of 10.3 days as of Monday, Lacson said. Responsible for maintaining emergency reserves, the NFA buys rice from local farmers at P17 per kilo fresh or wet. rice and P21 per kilo for dry rice.
“The line seems long,” said Lacson. “We know that there is no specific time for what happens in the Middle East, so there is a tendency for people to want to get food.”
(It looks like the lines will take longer. We know there is no specific time when the conflict in the Middle East will end, so people tend to get food.) – Rappler.com
