The governor said that because of this situation government intervention would be needed if the price of palay from the farmers continues to decrease but prices of rice in the market is increasing.
Lacson said that the “middle man” plays a big part, as the millers do not engage in retail and are instead relying on the middle man not to increase the price of rice as it would be a loss for the consumers.
He stressed that the earlier proposal of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to lower the price of rice to P20 per kilo would be impossible to accomplish, if the situation continues.
The National Food Authority (NFA), meanwhile, is reported to be purchasing palay at P19 per kilo with a moisture content of 14 percent only.
It was also reported that the NFA is not going around the rice farms to buy grain, but instead any transaction regarding the purchasing of palay is made
The farmers said bringing their palay to NFA would also mean additional cost for them because transportation cost is also high due to the high price of diesel fuel.