Farmers learn modern rice planting

CEBU, Philippines — As authorities monitor the implementation of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s order that sets a cap to rice prices, the Cebu City's Agriculture Department (CAD) is teaching new technology and technique to farmers on modern approaches to planting rice.

City Agriculturist Joey Baclayon said that the city government hopes to attract more farmers to plant rice again after many of them have opted to plant something more "profitable."

Along with this, CAD is conducting trainings for Cebu City farmers on new technology and modern approaches to planting rice.

CAD is also hoping to purchase new tools and equipment as support to these farmers.

"Naa tay mga technical know-how atong ngihatag nila. But, of course, kulang man ning mga tawo og gamit.  We cannot somehow rely on the traditional ones. Usual practice ba kabaw ra, araro ra," Baclayon said.

"We cannot expect nga naa tay nindot nga production unless tagaan nato sila’g sakto nga support. Tudloan nato ang atong mga farmers nga dili na magsige’g dukoduko og tanom, kundili, using a machine. Ang machine nay mutanom," he added.

The program is timely in the light of the recent rise in rice prices, which prompted President Marcos to issue on Aug. 31 Executive Order (EO) 39, which set the mandated nationwide price ceilings for regular milled rice at ?41 per kilogram and well-milled rice at ?45 per kilogram.

President Marcos issued it upon the recommendation of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

It was reported that as a response, there are Manila rice retailers that have closed their stores following the implementation of the mandated rice price ceiling.

Unlike them, however, The FREEMAN learned that while no one closed their stores at the Carbon Public Market, Cebu's biggest public market, almost all of them also defied the president's order.

Cebu City Market administrator Robert Barquilla said that prices of special and well-milled rice or imported rice is still over P50, except for corn grits #16 and broken Ganador.

In particular, Market Operations Division monitoring showed that a kilo of red rice is at P70; special pilit, P55 to P60/kilo; Ganador, P56/kilo; Jasmine, P55/kilo; Tapul Siaton, P100/kilo; well-milled rice Lion ivory and Champion, P55/kilo; Sinandomeng and Princess Bea, P52/kilo.

The FREEMAN also learned that, so far, only one rice retailer lowered its price for a well-milled rice from Thailand to P46 per kilo, but until supply lasts.

According to the seller, the price ceiling causes them to lose at least P5 per kilo, but they opted to comply with the order because they were afraid of any penalties if they would not.

The retailers are hesitant to comply with the president's order allegedly because they bought their supplies at a high price.

They said that with the price cap and if it is strictly implemented, they could not get new supplies of the special and well-milled rice.

The FREEMAN interviewed a few customers and most of them said they understand the plight of the retailers.

Secretary Benhur Abalos, though, said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will impose a stricter implementation of EO 39 in next few days.

“On the first day, we encourage the resellers na makiisa muna sila. Sa mga susunod na araw, mas magiging mahigpit tayo. Pero ngayon, aming panawagan, makiisa muna kayo,” he said during an inspection at Mega Q-Mart public market and Save More Supermarket in Quezon City.

Abalos assured rice retailers that the price ceiling is only temporary and a stop-gap measure to ensure that rice, as a basic necessity, is accessible and reasonably priced for Filipinos.

“Ito’y para sa lahat, para kay Juan Dela Cruz ito. Nare-recognize ng Pangulo na may maliliit na retailers ang tatamaan, huwag silang mag-alala. Nakikita niya na dapat tuloy-tuloy ang supply ng bigas, dapat maganda ang presyo," he said.

"At the same time, nauunawaan niya ang kalagayan ng mga bumili ng mahal at asahan n’yo po, gagalaw ang national government, tutulong po rito,” he added.

Abalos commended the local chief executives (LCEs) for their initiatives and support to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive.

“Sa hanay ng mga alkalde, ako’y nagpapasalamat. Dito n’yo makikita na ang mga local government units talagang nagsasanib-puwersa lalo na’t higit sa Kalakhang Maynila dahil ito ay affected talaga,” he said.

He mentioned that there are local executives that extended assistance to affected rice retailers by imposing free or discounted fees for stalls, like Mandaluyong City.

“The LGU rose to the occasion. Gumawa sila ng ayuda on their own, even ‘yung mga libreng upa on their own. Ito ay nagpapakita na basta may krisis magtulungan lang ang bawat Pilipino, wala tayong magiging problems,” Abalos said.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-7 said it, too, has been monitoring EO 39 compliance in Central Visayas.

Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, Police Regional Office-7 Regional Director Anthony Aberin's spokesperson, also encouraged the people to report retailers that do not obey the EO by calling cellphone numbers 0927-133-5170 and 0999-571-4069.

He said those caught violating the order may find themselves facing a jail time of one year to not more than 10 years and a fine of P5,000 to not more than P1 million, depending on the decision of the court. — /RHM (FREEMAN)