EDITORIAL — Let them eat kamote?

Exploring various options amid rising prices of rice, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual has raised the idea of Filipinos considering alternatives to the staple. Pascual stressed that he was not proposing the diet adjustment at this time. But he said that when he was president of the University of the Philippines, a study was conducted on mixing white corn with rice as an alternative to 100 percent rice.

Although Pascual clarified that he was not proposing the dietary adjustment, the story drew mixed reactions. The Federation of Free Farmers supported it, saying it was better than more rice importation, and it would provide a market for farmers’ other crops. Pascual had said sweet potato or kamote can also be a rice substitute.

On the other hand, rice watchdog group Bantay Bigas branded Pascual’s statement as “anti-poor and insensitive.” Rice accounts for much of the ordinary’s Filipino’s daily food intake, from breakfast to dinner. It is said that Filipinos can get by with a meal of rice and a bit of salt. Rice fills the belly for a long time and provides the energy needed by farmers in the fields.

There’s logic in the idea that if certain segments of the population would reduce their rice consumption, or at least switch their source of carbohydrates from rice to products such as bread, sweet potato and white corn, the easing of supply pressure would bring down rice prices.

Sweet potato and white corn, however, are more expensive than the most affordable rice. There are varieties of imported sweet potato that retail for P130 to P150 a kilo. Still, if enough of the segment of the population that can afford those items switch their carb preferences, it could still mean less demand for rice.

Pascual stressed that the focus of the government continues to be raising farm productivity and farmers’ income while ensuring rice supply and price stability.  Meanwhile, President Marcos reportedly supports a review of Republic Act 11203, the Rice Tariffication Law, to give the National Food Authority leeway in market intervention during emergencies. RA 11203 barred the NFA from importing rice, limiting the agency to the purchase of rice harvested domestically.

With rice retail prices surging past P50 a kilo in recent days, there’s again talk about a cartel manipulating supply and prices. Consumers are still waiting for criminal charges to be brought against supposed cartel members, whether in connection with rice, sugar, onions and meats. All that the public wants is to see stable food supply at reasonable prices.