Taguig City University Auditorium
October 4, 2023

“Alam ninyo, wala naman po sanang problema sa bigas — marami po ang ating suplay — ngunit dahil sa mga smuggler, hoarder at price manipulator na iyan, naiipit ang suplay kaya nagbabago at tumataas rin ang presyo nito,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated as he issued a stern warning to all hoarders and smugglers who disrupt the balance between the supply and demand of rice in the country during the distribution of confiscated smuggled rice to beneficiaries in Taguig City.

During the event, the President announced that an investigation into economic sabotage has led to the apprehension of three (3) violators of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Rice Tariffication Law and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. These are the San Pedro Warehouse and Blue Sakura Agri Grain Corporation, F.S. Ostia Rice Mill and Gold Rush Rice Mill that are currently facing multiple charges.

“Bagong Pilipinas na po tayo ngayon, at atin pong susugpuin ang mga hindi po lumalaban nang patas. Wala pong puwang sa lipunan ang mga nanlalamang at nang-aapi sa kapwa,” President Marcos Jr. conveyed.

As concurrent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Chief Executive encouraged Filipinos to unite in joining agricultural programs and environmental projects spearheaded by the national government and their respective local government units (LGUs).

Likewise, he commended the Urban Farming Initiatives in Taguig City for its various projects in promoting food security in the National Capital Region (NCR). These include the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Community Farm, City Farm in North Signal, Taguig City and the Urban Gardening administered by the City’s Agricultural Office.

“Patuloy tayong magtulungan para sa kinabukasan na walang gutom at puno ng kaginhawaan at pag-asa,” the President concluded in his speech.

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