Duterte: Government can take losses of selling lower-priced rice

MANILA, Philippines — The government should not mind losses from selling subsidized imported rice, President Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday, as he defended the removal of caps on rice imports despite concerns that may hurt local farmers. 

Duterte said imported rice should be sold to the public at low prices because these are bought with tax money.

"It would be good if we sell them to Filipinos. It would be cheap. We would incur losses. It's okay. After all, it's taxpayers' money. Those who paid taxes are also 
the ones who will eat," the president told reporters in Davao City.

"I will unleash the power of plenty. That's the only way... I am angry because it has bogged every administration (down) ever since," he added. 

Duterte claimed that the quota system is a "source of corruption" but did not elaborate. 

"It's anybody who has the money can import. My job is to fill our warehouse and inventory. I was angry because our inventory, it's half-full or half-empty, whichever 
you would want to term it...Gusto ko, sabi ko, punuin mo ‘yan hanggang sumagad (I want all spaces filled with rice)...My inventory, I want everything full house," the 
president said. 

Duterte scrapped the "quota" for rice imports and has allowed private traders to buy more rice from other countries in the wake of reports that the supply in the National Food Authority inventory has been depleted. The president has also ordered the NFA to ensure that its warehouses would be full of rice bags to prevent a shortage. 

The NFA Council revealed this month that the government's rice inventory had been depleted to less than a day's worth, or about 200,000 bags, prompting Duterte to allow the NFA to import 500,000 metric tons of rice.

The grains agency is required to maintain a rice reserve good for at least 15 days during harvest season and at least 30 days during the lean months of July to September. The rice reserve would be used if the country faces an emergency situation or a disaster.

"Sell everything, I have no problem with that. So we lose. And so? It's the people’s money also. They pay the taxes. We return them, That's what they want. Cheap rice. We lose. Naturally. I don't mind," Duterte said. 

Some groups have expressed concerns over the removal of import caps, saying farmers might find it hard to compete with cheaper rice from abroad.

Duterte assured the farmers that there would be no importation during harvest season.

"I told (NFA administrator Jason) Aquino, do not buy during harvest season. If possible, buy everything. During harvest season, no importation. But that is a 
government-imposed regulation.