The government has proposed a maximum price of 58 pesos per kilo for superior quality rice, but it is an insufficient measure for some social groups. In the fourth quarter of 2024, hunger reached levels close to those of 2020, affecting approximately one in four Filipino families.
Manila () – To face a situation of increasing economic difficulty, the Philippine government is studying introducing a price cap on rice, an essential food for the population and the subject of a significant increase in imports. This possibility has been anticipated by the Department of Agriculture, which could intervene if market prices continue at levels considered “excessive” and “unreasonable.” The issue refers to the lack of adequacy of the retail price of rice, despite a reduction of up to eight pesos per kilo for imported rice, favored by the reduction in customs tariffs.
The ministry proposed imposing a maximum price of 58 pesos per kilogram for premium rice starting January 20. However, the measure faces opposition from various political and social parties, who consider that the price is still too high. At the same time, there is speculation that official intervention could have a calming effect on sub-premium quality rice varieties, whose price is already below 45 pesos per kilo in some regions.
Another factor driving the adoption of extraordinary measures is the growing food insecurity that still affects approximately one in four families in the country. The issue is central to the midterm local and parliamentary elections to be held in May, which are currently characterized by the rivalry between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Philippine organization Social Weather Stations (SWS), in the fourth quarter of 2024 hunger has reached levels close to those of 2020, with an increase compared to the previous quarter. The main causes include inadequate agricultural planning, extreme weather events, speculation and increasing dependence on imports, which in turn are influenced by declining global production and rising prices.
In particular, the data revealed that 25.9% of Filipino households have experienced absolute hunger at least once in the quarter, up from 22.9% in the previous period, a value that is close to the peak of 30.7% recorded. in September 2020, during confinement to contain the spread of covid-19. In 2024, hunger affected an average of 20.2% of households, almost double the rate in 2023, and only slightly (0.9%) below the 2020 average. The Mindanao region recorded the data most worrying, with 30.3% of families affected by hunger, although slightly decreasing. The Manila area, on the other hand, has a lower rate, equal to 22.2%, but increasing slightly.
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