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RP has 'cheapest rice' in Southeast Asia |
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By PNA
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Wednesday, 16 July 2008 |
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MANILA, July 14 (PNA) -- Despite soaring rice prices worldwide, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday said the Philippines continues to sell the cheapest rice in the Southeast Asian region. Speaking before diplomatic officials and tourism directors of the US and Canada who made a courtesy call today in Malacanang, the President said the country also enjoys adequate supply of the staple -- a "solid plan" to achieve self-sufficiency in five years. "All over the world, food prices have spiked. In Thailand, (from which) we buy rice, rice is P56 per kilo; in Vietnam, P67. So when we have commercial rice at P35, that's a blessing," she said.
"Our subsidized rice is P18.25 and P25 per kilo. Indonesia's subsidized rice is P25.30 and Malaysia, P27. Either we are all handling the crisis well or equally bad," she added. President Arroyo said the prospects of a food shortage have generated a "real world crisis," brought about by speculation or an increase in demand of the staple. "When it comes to food and fuel, definitely we cannot run the risk of no one selling us both unless we pay impossible prices," she noted. The President said the government has put in place measures towards achieving national food self-sufficiency and fuel conservation to ensure adequate supply. She said the government has tapped the help of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and other research institutes, including giving subsidies to farmers to increase their productivity. (PNA) |
