NFA Warehouse, Brgy. San Roque, Zamboanga City
September 19, 2023
“Tinutulungan natin ang ating mga magsasaka upang pagandahin ang kanilang ani. Ngunit hindi lamang yan ang kailangang gawin para maging maganda ang presyo ng bigas. Kasama na dyan ay kailangan natin higpitan ang pagbantay sa mga iligal na importers o smuggled na bigas,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated as he vowed to strengthen the Administration’s commitment in ensuring that prices of food commodities in the country is stable amidst current challenges regarding illegal importation and smuggling.
In his remarks during the distribution of confiscated smuggled rice in Zamboanga City, the President emphasized the need to strictly enforce existing laws in the country, urging the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to monitor illegal activities and operations that threaten the movement of prices of basic commodities in local markets.
“Sa lahat ng ginagawa ng gobyerno, ang inuuna ko talaga ay ang agrikultura. Kaya pagpatuloy natin na may sapat tayo na pagkain para sa buong Pilipinas, at bukod pa doon, ay kailangan ay kayang bilhin at hindi masyadong mahal,” President Marcos Jr. said.
The rice distributed in the City is part of the 42,180 smuggled sacks of rice worth PhP42 million forfeited by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga (BOC-POZ) during its warehouse raid in Barangay San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City on September 15, 2023.
In accordance with the law, these confiscated rice will be donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution to its beneficiaries in the Region after failure of illegal importers to explain their smuggled activities within 15 days.
Moreover, the Chief Executive mentioned the new buying price range of dry and wet palay set at PhP19.00 to PhP23.00, and PhP16.00 to PhP19.00, respectively. He said that this is anchored in improving farmers’ income and ensuring sufficient supply of rice throughout the country.
“Dapat pagandahin ang production ng mga magsasaka at lagi nating pinapaalala sa lahat ng mga kasamahan ko, hindi lamang na may sapat na pagkain. Kailangan ay may presyo, kayang bilhin ng taong bayan, unang-una. Pangalawa, na may magandang hanapbuhay naman ang mga magsasaka. Kaya ‘yan ay tinitiyak natin,” President Marcos Jr. conveyed.
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