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THE
Philippines may opt to boost local rice production to
minimize importation needs if high rice prices persist
longer than expected, Malacañang said Monday.
Press
Secretary Ignacio Bunye also said in a news briefing
that President Arroyo will initiate meetings with
neighboring countries that are “similarly situated in
terms of rice supply” to map out collective measures to
address the problem now and in the future.
Bunye
said the President, in an interview on Sunday with the
Wall Street Journal, had said that “if the current
situation of high rice prices in the world market
persists, it would make sense for the Philippines to
produce more. If we produce more, then I believe the
role of the NFA [National Food Authority] would somehow
change. But that’s talking in the long term.”
Mrs.
Arroyo was asked whether she foresees any changes in the
role of the NFA in the country’s rice-procurement
program.
Bunye
explained that an increased rice production in the
Philippines would lessen importation, and would
correspondingly minimize the role of the NFA in rice
supply.
He said
that in the short term, the goal of the Arroyo
administration is to “put food on the table,” in which
case the NFA “would definitely play a very important
role.” The NFA is mandated to ensure food security and
stable rice supply and price in the country.
“So we
have to distinguish between long-term and short-term
[moves]....In the long term, if the [high] prices
continue, then we’ll have to produce more, and if there
is more local production, somehow the role of NFA would
change,” Bunye said.
He said
the President indicated her optimism that world rice
prices may soften in the second half of the year, as
predicted by international analysts, to be complemented
by the good rice yields in the Philippines to date.
“The
President quoted some international analysts [as saying]
that the price of rice might soften during the second
semester and the reason for that is there is talk of
removing restrictions on exports. And as far as the
Philippines is concerned, there is every indication that
our harvest has been good and this would somehow temper
the effects of this high price in the world market,”
Bunye said.
Asked
whether Mrs. Arroyo will consider moving toward self
sufficiency in rice production if rice prices continue
to soar after the second semester of the year, Bunye
said: “Let’s just say, to quote the President, that what
happened is a global wake-up call and she would like to
work with other governments in the region so that what
happened now could be averted next time around.”
Bunye
said that President is expected to pursue cooperation on
the rice supply situation bilaterally, particularly with
“countries that are closer to us.”
“There
are several countries involved here. We’ll touch base
with those we could work easily with in the
meantime....It’s time for the Philippines to work with
other countries that are similarly situated so that
individually and collectively, we can avert the
recurrence of this situation,” he said, but did not
specify the countries to be tapped for cooperation.
The
Philippines is the world’s biggest rice importer.
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