By Nimfa Estrellado Cong David "Jay-jay" Suarez (Photo from his FB) LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Quezon 2nd district Representative D...
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| Cong David "Jay-jay" Suarez (Photo from his FB) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Quezon 2nd district Representative David "Jay-jay" Suarez has launched a scathing attack on the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for a critical oversight in its handling of rice importation permits. This omission, Suarez argues, has potentially paved the way for monopolistic practices within the rice market, echoing concerns raised by farmers' groups and agricultural stakeholders in recent months.
During a heated legislative hearing of the "Murang Pagkain" Super-committee on Tuesday, December 10th, Suarez, who also serves as the House Deputy Speaker, condemned the BPI for failing to conduct due diligence in issuing permits to rice importing companies. He directly confronted BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, who admitted that the bureau had not verified the ownership structures of these companies.
"Why didn't you have it checked?" Suarez demanded. "You can't conduct a review now because it's already done. What happened is, it's already done and it's only now that you want to do your job. You should have checked while they were still applying for permits." Suarez's strong words highlighted the seriousness of the BPI's failure to properly vet these companies before granting them import permits.
Suarez pointed to evidence suggesting that the country's two top rice importers, Golden Grains and Pure Rice, may be linked through complex ownership structures, potentially allowing them to control a significant portion of the rice supply. These two companies reportedly account for over 60% of the Philippines' rice imports.
This revelation comes amidst growing anxieties about the rising cost of rice, a staple food in the Philippines. Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows a 15% increase in rice prices over the past three months, adding further fuel to the concerns about potential market manipulation and price gouging. This price hike has caused outrage among lawmakers like Suarez, who are acutely aware of the struggle many Filipinos face to afford basic necessities.
"This is a serious lapse in judgment by the BPI," Suarez stated. "Their failure to properly vet these companies has created a potential breeding ground for a rice monopoly, which could have dire consequences for Filipino consumers already struggling with the increasing cost of living." He further emphasized that this could lead to artificial price hikes, limited consumer choice, and potential manipulation of the rice supply.
Suarez's concerns align with those raised by agricultural advocacy groups like the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), who have long been critical of the lack of transparency in the rice importation process. SINAG president, Rosendo So, recently stated in an interview with the Manila Bulletin that "The BPI should be protecting the interests of Filipino farmers and consumers, not facilitating potential monopolies that could harm both."
They have called for stricter regulations and greater government oversight to prevent market manipulation and ensure fair pricing for consumers. This incident has raised broader questions about the transparency and accountability of the rice importation process.
In response to the concerns raised, Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda, overall chairman of the "Murang Pagkain" Super-committee, has called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to investigate the tax filings of top rice importers to identify any potential profiteering.
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