MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Martin Romualdez has proposed the creation of a “mega government task force” to crack down on rice price manipulators and unscrupulous traders exploiting consumers.
“There is an urgent need to act and drive down rice prices for the benefit of Filipino consumers,” Romualdez said in a statement on Sunday.
His statement followed findings by Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, chair of the House Ways and Means committee, revealing evidence of collusion and price manipulation in the rice industry, despite reduced import tariffs and a surplus of rice in the country.
Romualdez outlined that the task force could include representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The proposed task force would oversee inventory checks, tax compliance audits, warehouse inspections, and the closure of non-compliant establishments.
Additionally, it would submit monthly reports to Congress to ensure transparency and accountability.
“The findings of the ways and means committee expose a grave betrayal of public trust. Consumers are paying excessively high rice prices, which should be between P35 to P40 per kilo given the oversupply and tariff reductions. This manipulation is intolerable,” Romualdez stated.
He vowed to dismantle any cartels involved, hold those responsible accountable, and protect both consumers and farmers from further exploitation.
“The House of Representatives will ensure that these abuses are stopped, and we will prioritize justice for the Filipino people,” Romualdez concluded.
TROUBLING PATTERN
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), House Speaker Martin Romualdez revealed that despite an oversupply of rice—reflected in the demand-supply ratio dropping from 82.5% to 69.4% this year—prices remain stubbornly high.
The cost of regular-milled rice has seen only minimal declines, from P50.40 per kilogram in October to P49.44 in early November.
Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo criticized the artificially inflated prices, pointing out that the reduced import tariffs under Executive Order 62 should have already driven prices down.
“The rice stocks are more than sufficient, but prices have not decreased. It’s clear there is collusion between importers and traders,” Quimbo said in Filipino.
Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda emphasized that rice prices should now stabilize at P35 per kilogram, considering the landed cost of imported rice has dropped to an average of P33.95 per kilogram.
“The data is undeniable: the true price of rice should be P35 per kilo. What we’re seeing in the market is a result of manipulation,” Salceda said in Filipino.
In response, Romualdez urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Competition Commission to formally investigate the existence of a potential rice cartel.
“This is not merely an economic issue; it’s a matter of food security and national stability. The House will use all its powers to dismantle these cartels, hold them accountable, and ensure affordable rice for every Filipino household,” Romualdez declared.
The findings have intensified calls for stronger oversight and stricter enforcement against unscrupulous practices in the rice industry.