DA walang balak magpataw ng SRP sa bigas at iba pang agri products
Walang balak si Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. na magpatupad ng suggested retail price (SRP) sa bigas at iba pang farm products.
Hindi pinatulan ni Laurel ang ideya na SRP gaya nang isinasaad sa Republic Act 7581 o Price Act.
Ani Laurel, dahil sa El Niño, natural na hindi maging stable ang presyo ng bigas at iba pang agri products.
“We’re not doing it. Prices of rice and other agricultural products in international markets like Thailand and other countries are volatile and fluctuating due to El Nino. Hence, we’re not suggesting to control prices at the moment,” pahayag ni Laurel.
Layunin ng Price Act Law na bigyan ng kapangyarihan ang DA na gawing stabilize ang presyo ng farm products gaya ng bigas, isda, karne, poultry, fertilizer sa oras ng emergency.
“I’m well aware that setting retail prices, even if just suggested, for particular goods tend to be counterproductive, especially when there is ample supply,” pahayag ni Laurel.
“In most cases, farmers bear the brunt of a price limit because traders will only lower their purchase prices to keep their margins. Consumers also don’t benefit in such a situation. It could also fuel price speculation and supply hoarding that evolves into another problem altogether,” dagdag ng kalihim. (Chona Yu)
