NPCC sees need to import more rice, sugar, fish, veggies to bring down prices

The National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) on Wednesday stressed the need to import not only more rice and sugar but also more fish and vegetables to address supply constraints and ultimately help ease local prices.

Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said the council saw problems in supply which caused prices to go up.

“[The NPCC meeting] basically confirmed that [for] some basic prices especially on agriculture products, may mga increase compared to last year. If you compare it versus last month, relatively stable," Lopez said.

"Pero 'pag kinompare mo versus last year, doon makita mo may increases nga. Supply constraint ang karamihan na report.” he added.

The council has agreed to increase the importation not only of rice and sugar, but also fish and vegetable.

“Napag-usapan iyong allowing importation on fish and even on sugar if we have to continue and on rice also. Our president has given instruction to really fill up the warehosues ng [National Food Authority]," he said.

Lopez said measures will be put in place to insulate local farmers and fisherfolk from the negative impact on their livelihood of an increased importation.

“There is a tariff that will protect the farmers but anybody can import so that may siguradong supply," he said. — MDM, GMA News