By Nimfa Estrellado Stright Talk Opinion A YouTube video recently surfaced showing President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez M...
Stright Talk
Opinion
A YouTube video recently surfaced showing President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr. promising P20 per kilo rice during his campaign for the 2022 elections and now as president.
This unfulfilled promise has prompted debate and criticism, as the current market price of rice is substantially greater than what was promised. Many individuals are skeptical that President Marcos would be able to keep his promise and meet the public's expectations.
The claim is from a YouTube video that has gained traction on social media, with netizens expressing their disappointment and skepticism towards Marcos. The video has gained over 20,000 views and 1,300 likes from a channel with 110,000 subscribers. ignited a debate about the credibility of political promises and the importance of holding elected officials accountable for their words.
Many are eager to see if the president will take concrete actions to fulfill his rice price commitment and address the concerns of the public regarding rising food costs. The public is looking for transparency and results in order to restore their trust in the government’s ability to address pressing issues.
However, many believe this claim will never happen because the president never promised it in the first place and it is far from reality. The government’s track record of effectively addressing economic challenges has been a cause for skepticism among the public. Additionally, there is a need for concrete and sustainable measures to be implemented in order to alleviate the burden of rising food costs on the average citizen.
On April 17, 2022, Marcos’ political party Partido Federal ng Pilipinas said in a statement would ensure price of rice lower and more affordable for all Filipinos. However, the public remains skeptical of such promises given the government’s track record of failing to effectively address economic challenges.
The Presidential Communications Office also referred to the P20 per kilo price of rice as a Marcos campaign promise: “The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains hopeful that it will fulfill his campaign promise of lowering the price of rice to P20.00, despite the current rice productivity in the country, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).”
Multiple national news outlets, such as the Inquirer, Business World, and ABS-CBN News, have also reported on the issue of the P20 per kilo price of rice promised by Marcos.
On the other hand, critics argue that fulfilling this campaign promise may not be feasible due to various factors such as inflation, market fluctuations, and the cost of production.
They believe that focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and improving the overall rice production system would be a more effective approach to addressing the issue of high rice prices in the long run.
In an interview, Marcos referred to the P20 per kilo price of rice as a goal that can be achieved through strategic planning and the implementation of policies. He emphasized the importance of supporting local farmers and investing in modern farming technologies to increase productivity and reduce production costs. Additionally, Marcos highlighted the need for government intervention to stabilize rice prices and ensure affordable access for all consumers.
DA said that achieving the p20 per kilo price of rice is a challenging task that requires a comprehensive approach by improving irrigation systems, providing subsidies for fertilizers and seeds, and promoting sustainable farming practices to enhance the overall efficiency of the agricultural sector.
Furthermore, DA emphasized the importance of collaborating with stakeholders, such as cooperatives and private entities, to create a competitive market that benefits both farmers and consumers.
Based on the DA’s August 30 price monitoring data, the price range for local regular milled rice is at P42 to P55 per kilo, while imported regular milled rice sells for P43. Local well-milled rice ranges from P47 to P56 per kilo and P52 per kilo for imported rice.
Marcos’ statement, although not promising, may be giving false hope. Like other politicians, like the past president, who promised to address the issue of rice prices, it remains to be seen if concrete actions will be taken to actually alleviate the burden on farmers and consumers.
The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan campaign period starts on October 19, 2023, and elections (BSKE) in the Philippines are scheduled to be held on October 30, 2023. These elections are crucial in determining the leaders who will have a direct impact on addressing issues such as rice prices and agricultural policies.
Some election candidates, regardless of the post for which they are running, enjoy making campaign promises, but it is unclear whether they will follow through once elected.
Election candidates' broken promises have become a common occurrence in politics in the Philippines. Whether it's pledges to lower taxes, create jobs, or improve education, many politicians fail to follow through on their commitments once they are elected into office.
This pattern of broken promises not only erodes public trust in the political system but also undermines the potential for meaningful change and progress.
Voters must carefully examine the candidates' track records and suggested strategies to verify that they are dedicated to taking concrete actions to alleviate the burden on farmers and consumers.
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