Rice industry group supports putting SRP on rice

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Monday said it is in favor of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) move to impose a suggested retail price (SRP) on rice.

“Ito makakatulong ito sa consumer para at least bumaba ‘yung presyo nang konti. Kung hindi kasi grabe na ang presyo,” SINAG chairman Rosendo So said in an interview on GMA News’ “Balitanghali.”

The DA earlier announced that the rice variety that would be available in the market would be limited to only five types with the corresponding SRP.

“The SRP will be determined by prevailing market prices, so it’s not [a] constant number,” Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said.

Imposing SRP on rice would help prevent importers from charging excessive markups, according to SINAG.

“Dapat i-implement ang SRP para at least pag-deliver sa mga outlet eh may presyo,” So noted.

Rice tariffication

Farmers would benefit from the Rice Tariffication Law once it is enacted, said So.

The 35 percent tariff that the government collects from the importers will remain unchanged under the law, but it will be re-channeled from the general funds to the rice sector.

“Ang maganda lang dun sa rice tariffication, ‘yung pondo na makokolekta ng government mapupunta sa magsasaka kasi ‘yung batas may gagawin na suporta, ‘yung budget ia-allocate dun sa mga sector lang ng rice,” So noted.

He debunked the claim of President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic managers that the law will be approved by Congress to foster more rice imports and help curb soaring prices.

“Ang palaging sinasabi ng economic team, eh dapat ma-implement na ‘yung rice tariffication kasi tumataas ang presyo. Hindi totoo ‘yun kasi ‘yung import natin more than last year,” he said.

So noted rice imports as of Sept. 30, 2018 amounts to 1.3 million metric tons compared with 800,000 MT last year. —Dona Magsino/VDS, GMA News