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PGMA's Opening Statement during the Meeting of National Security Cabinet Group and Price Coordinating Council |
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Malacañang |
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May 06, 2008 |
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Magandang hapon, mga kababayan There are global clouds on the horizon that are driving up the price of oil and food, particularly rice. Thankfully, we are now in a vastly improved position to weather this storm than at anytime in recent memory. On the issue of rice management: this is a global problem that we have seen coming. We have worked to head it off for some time now. We are totally sensitive to the fact that a large segment of the Philippine population is price sensitive. We feel deeply for our poorest who one minute are doing well and moving up the ladder but then almost overnight, are subjected to pain and setback as a result of high fuel and rice prices. We have seen this coming for some time now—certainly before the world took notice. Our response is based on three fundamental needs: One – to ensure supply – we have reached out to Thailand and Vietnam long before the shortage hit. We have interested heavily as well in production efficiencies and new strains. Salamat sa Diyos at sa ating mga magsasaka, sapat at higit pa an gating bigas na sariling tanim o darating sa Pilipinas para sa ating mga pangangailangan. Hindi tayo magkukulang. Two, to make sure distribution of rice gets to the people who need it most-efficiently and cost-effectively. To this end, we have moved to utilize distribution through churches, faith organizations and the schools when classes start, in addition to our own government distribution network. Patuloy tayong maghahatid ng bigas sa maralita sa abot-kayang halaga. Lastly, we must be vigilant that unscrupulous traders do not price gouge and exploit the situation. We are making sure that anyone caught robbing the people of rice is punished. Sa ating pulong ngayon kasama ang National Security Cabinet at Price Coordinating Council, pag-i-ibayuhin ang paglaban sa mga nagpupuslit at nagbebenta ng NFA rice sa mahal na presyo. Bukod sa pagkain, pinagsisikapan din nating ibaba ang singil sa koryente. Magagawa ito kung bibili ang Meralco ng mas murang koryente sa sarili niyang power producer. Kailangan ang suporta ng lahat para sa iba’t iba nating petisyon sa Energy Regulatory Commission upang ibaba ng Meralco ang singil. Kailangang magkapit-bisig tayong lahat upang maglingkod sa kapwa, lalo na ang nagigipit. Marami pa tayong magagawa upang umangat ang mga kababayan nating hirap sa buhay. |