Noy urged to rein in agriculture chief

MANILA, Philippines - Two lawmakers urged President Aquino yesterday to rein in Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, whom they accused of issuing misleading figures on the country’s rice self-sufficiency.

Magdalo Reps. Gary Alejano and Francisco Ashley Acedillo said Alcala has strayed from reason and good sense in the rabid quest for his flawed version of rice self-sufficiency.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Romeo Recide, who is also Bureau of Agricultural Statistics director, told a joint inquiry of the House of Representatives committees on agriculture and food security that the Department of Agriculture (DA) would not be able to meet its 2013 rice self-sufficiency targets, the two lawmakers said.

Recide told lawmakers that based on optimistic projections, the country would be producing 18.45 million metric tons of rice in 2013, or 2.55 million MT short of the 21 million MT required for the country to be rice self-sufficient.

Recide answered “No” when pressed if the country would be rice self-sufficient by yearend.

The panels were conducting an inquiry into the reported rice shortage and rising prices of the staple.

Alcala had said in media interviews that rice production would hit 20 million MT this year.

Alejano and Acedillo urged National Economic and Development Authority director general Arsenio Balisacan and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to revisit  plans and programs laid out at the start of the administration to see for themselves how Alcala’s interpretation of rice self-sufficiency has resulted in higher rice costs and inadequate supply.

“Secretaries Balisacan and Purisima have always been vocal about the path this government should take to achieve genuine rice self-sufficiency,” Alejano said.

“Perhaps it is time they spoke up and intervened, especially since Alcala’s maverick policies imperil both the country’s food security as well as the economic gains of this administration.” 

– With Edu Punay