President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said there is still a chance to achieve his campaign promise of lowering the retail price of rice to as low as ₱20 per kilogram.
"May chance lagi ‘yan," Marcos, who is also the Agriculture Chief, told the media during an interview in Zamboanga City where he led the distribution of 1,500 sacks of rice forfeited earlier by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga (BOC-POZ).
The President noted that ₱20 per kilo of rice could be attained if the cost of production was also lowered.
Marcos also noted that his aspiration could be achieved if other factors that are directly affecting the prices of rice could be adjusted.
"Kung maayos natin ang production natin at maging maayos, hindi na tayo masyadong bagyuhin, at 'yung mga tulong na ibinibigay natin sa mga farmer ay magamit na nila," he said.
"Bababa rin lahat. Basta’t mas mataas ang ani kahit na pwede nating ipagpantay ang presyo," the Chief Executive added.
On Monday, Marcos disclosed that the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, which he also currently chaired, set a buying price for dry and fresh rice grains nationwide in a bid to help local farmers.
The dry rice grain will now range from ₱19 to ₱23 per kilogram, while wet rice grain will be from ₱16 to ₱19 per kilo.
The President said the new buying prices for rice grain and the imposed rice price cap on regular and well-milled rice will both stabilize the high prices of retail rice in the markets and stores.
