By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has stressed the importance of a “unified” approach to stabilize food prices.
This came after Marcos met with officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday.
During a sectoral meeting with the DA, Marcos received an update on the implementation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a Facebook post on Tuesday night.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with implementing agencies of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act to discuss cutting down smuggling and stabilizing prices. The President emphasized the importance of the meeting, noting that it plays a vital role in the government’s efforts to control prices, particularly those of food products,” the PCO said.
Marcos said a unified approach is key to stabilizing food prices, adding that new policies are needed to shield consumers from market volatility, according to another statement posted on state-run Radio Television Malacañang’s (RTVM) official Facebook page on Tuesday night.
The DA on Feb. 4 declared a food security emergency for rice to address the “extraordinary” price increases in retail price.
On Feb. 15, the DA also lowered its maximum suggested retail price for 5-percent broken rice in Metro Manila to PHP52/kg. from PHP55 to further tame retail prices.
The DA is also considering selling cheaper pork as an alternative option for consumers amid retail price spikes.
Besides pork, the agency is also studying the sale of more affordable chicken.
‘Reliable’ power supply
Marcos also met with the Department of Energy (DOE) to discuss the policies related to coal-fired power plants and the extraction of indigenous coal.
The meeting was held to address concerns over the coal moratorium and coal mining, according to the statement posted on the RTVM’s Facebook page.
The PCO said Marcos stressed the importance of ensuring a “reliable” power supply, citing its critical role in sustaining the country’s socioeconomic well-being.
“The Department of Energy also briefed the President on the coal policy for coal-fired power plants and mining of indigenous coal. President Marcos emphasized that ensuring a sufficient power supply is a priority for safeguarding the socioeconomic welfare of the people,” the PCO said. (PNA)
