President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains hopeful that the prices of basic commodities in the market will start to decrease amid the measures the government has implemented against price hikes.
In an interview during the rice distribution in Iriga City, Camarines Sur on Saturday, President Marcos believes that the government’s intervention against price hikes will eventually decrease the prices of basic goods.
“Sa mga measures na sinimulan natin, halimbawa ‘yun na nga, ‘yung price cap, pati na ‘yung ayuda sa mga retailer, pagtaas ng bilihan ng palay ay sa palagay ko, pagpasok ng ani, dahil papasok na, nag-aani na tayo at pagpasok niyan, sa palagay ko makikita na natin na bababa ‘yung presyo,” President Marcos said.
The President’s statement came after he was asked about updates on the implementation of the mandated PhP41.00 price ceiling on regular milled rice and the PhP45.00 price cap on well-milled rice.
Marcos emphasized that the government is prioritizing the agricultural sector in the Philippines as its movement in the market will fundamentally affect the prices of basic goods in the country.
“Imposibleng may galaw ang presyo ng kahit na ano na agrikultura na hindi maapektuhan ang ibang sector. Fundamental ‘yan. Pagka gumalaw ‘yung agriculture … Kaya ‘yan ang inuuna natin dahil hindi natin kayang gawin ‘yung gusto nating gawin kung hindi tayo mag-aayos ng ating agrikultura,” Marcos said.
President Marcos has approved the recommendation of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to impose the mandated price ceilings on regular and well-milled rice in the market nationwide through Executive Order (EO) No. 39.
The EO took effect on September 5. | PND
Photo Courtesy by PIA