‘Panagutin at kasuhan’: Marcos urged to act swiftly against rice cartels

January 19, 2025 , 08:32 PM

By Rodolfo Dacleson II

(January 19, 2025) – A farmers’ group on Sunday called on the government to act swiftly against the continuing practices of rice cartels despite the signing of a measure seeking to end agricultural sabotage.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) stressed the urgent need to punish those who violate Republic Act (RA) No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

“Habulin, panagutin at kasuhan, if evidence warrants profiteering or hoarding, these importers who simply pocketed the savings from tariff reduction,” said Sinag in a statement.

Last September, Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. signed RA 12022 into law to make food affordable and accessible to Filipinos by imposing sanctions on individuals found guilty of agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartels.

Violators may face imprisonment of up to 30 years and pay a fine thrice the value of their sabotaged agricultural or fishery products.

Rice cartels have been blamed for manipulating prices, resulting in high costs in the market.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the combined nationwide average retail cost of well-milled, regular-milled, and special rice rose to P56.67 in 2024 from P53.75 in 2023.

Last year, Marcos released Executive Order No. 62 to reduce the tariff imposed on rice and other agricultural products from 35% to 15%.

ALSO READ: Reduced rice tariff to cut rice prices by P6 to P7, claims DA

“There has been so much talk and congressional hearings of profiteering or cartel-like behavior on the continuing high rice prices despite EO 62,” said Sinag. “We hope that the MSRP (maximum suggested retail price) will not absolve those involved in this illicit trade.”

Starting this Monday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will implement an MSRP for rice worth P58 per kilo.

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives, however, slammed the move as “unrealistic” and a “disservice to consumers,” claiming retailers could hike their prices to match it.

The DA also eyes to declare a food security emergency for rice by next month.

(With reports from JC Cosico, News5)

(PM)

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