Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
September 4, 2023
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. departed for Jakarta, Indonesia to attend the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits upon the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo who is this year’s ASEAN Chair.
In his departure statement, the President said that he will advance the Philippines’ priorities in ASEAN and work with other Member States to address the complex challenges facing the Region while pursuing opportunities for the regional bloc as an epicentrum of growth.
“My participation will highlight our advocacies in promoting a rules-based international order, including in the South China Sea, strengthening food security, calling for climate justice, tapping the potential of the digital and creative economies, protecting migrant workers in crisis situations and combating trafficking in persons,” he stated.
The Chief Executive sees the second ASEAN Summit this year as a strategic opportunity to deepen partnerships with its Dialogue Partners namely, Australia, Canada, India, China, Japan, South Korea, United States of America and United Nations, as well as to foster cooperation in trade and investment, climate action, food security, clean energy and maritime cooperation.
“Habang po kami ay nasa Jakarta ay walang tigil po ang aming pagtutok sa sitwasyon na ngayon na ating hinaharap tungkol sa bigas…Sa pag-aaral namin, ang dahilan lamang dito ay talagang nandiyan ang mga smuggler at tsaka ang mga hoarder,” President Marcos Jr. remarked, stressing that although he wanted to let the market do its work, government needed to intervene at this point since the prices of rice continue to increase.
“Ngunit ay pinapakialaman na ang merkado natin, kaya’t kailangan pumasok ang pamahalaan at eto nga ang aming ginawa ay tayo ay naglagay ng price ceiling para sa presyo ng bigas….Ito po ay pansamantala lamang,” he added.
According to the President, he understands the predicament of rice retailers with the issuance of Executive Order No. 39, series 2023 imposing the price ceilings on rice, which is why government is ready to provide assistance.
“Sa kasalukuyan, ang ating DTI, ang ating Department of Agriculture ay gumagawa ng listahan ng ating mga, ng ating mga rice retailers, yung mga association ng mga rice retailer, kung sino man ang mga rice retailer. At habang ginagawa yan, kinakalkula rin kung ano ang magiging lugi nung mga rice retailer dahil nga sa price cap. Kaya’t ang DSWD naman ay tiniyak namin na meron silang pondo, ihanda, upang pag nakalkula na natin ang lugi ng mga rice retailer, ay bibigyan naman natin sila ng tulong, katumbas na tulong,” he said.
The President reiterated that the price ceilings on rice is a temporary measure since the rice supply, both local harvest and rice importation, will be coming in on the second week of September, thereby ensuring rice sufficiency and price stability.
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