President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the administration had to first crack down on corrupt rice importers and smuggling syndicates before implementing the P20-per-kilo rice program, which was not yet feasible during the early years of his term.

During the BBM Podcast, which aired on Monday, President Marcos responded to the question of why the P20-per-kilo rice was only implemented halfway through his term.

“Noong 2022, 2023, hindi pa namin kayang gawin,“ admitted the President, who said a significant factor in keeping rice prices high is the rampant importation and smuggling.

“Ang katotohanan, ang nakita namin ang pang-control doon sa presyo ng bigas ay ang smuggled na bigas. Kaya nagho-hoard,” said the President, citing the raids in various warehouses that revealed hoarded rice.

The Chief Executive admitted that rice importation has become excessive due to connivance by public officials.

“Dahil ang nag-i-i-smuggle mga opisyal din ng gobyerno. Kumikita sila. O ‘di bakit nila papalitan? Sige, pasok lang sila nang pasok,” the President said.

“Hindi nila iniintindi ang production. Hindi nila iniintindi ‘yung sistema. Hindi nila iniintindi ang presyo ng palay, ang presyo ng bigas, ang kikitain ng magsasaka. Wala, walang ganoon,” President Marcos continued.

Aside from addressing rice smuggling and hoarding, the President said his government also had to undertake bureaucratic and legislative reforms and boost rice production infrastructure and support.

“So ngayon lang namin nabuo lahat,” he said.

Last week, low-income residents began to have access to the PhP20 per kilo of rice in Kadiwa Metro Manila and Calabarzon centers. | PND