By Manny Piñol
President Rody Duterte today instructed the National Food Authority to invite the country’s big rice traders to “share coffee” with him to discuss the national rice supply situation.
“You invite them. Sabihin mo mag kape lang kami,” Pres. Duterte instructed NFA Administrator Jason Aquino during the NFA Council meeting in Malacañang.
The President’s instruction followed a recommendation which I relayed to him during the meeting.
Industry stakeholders suggested that Pres. Duterte should persuade the big traders not to hoard rice stocks and manipulate prices in the market.
I actually attended the NFA Council meeting for the first time since I was appointed Agriculture Secretary.
This followed the instruction of Pres. Duterte to include DA in the meeting after I asked during the last Cabinet meeting that the Agriculture Department be invited.
The President said he would like to convey to the traders his wish that the Filipino consumers would not be made to suffer from high prices of rice.
“Not during my watch,” the President said repeating a statement he made earlier.
The NFA Administrator said he will issue the invitation to the traders immediately.
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