Malacañang on Thursday urged rice farmers to report unscrupulous traders who are taking advantage of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Benteng Bigas Meron Na program by purchasing palay at unfairly low prices.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said rice farmers can file complaints with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), or the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Sabihin lamang po sa amin sa DA, sa DILG, sa DOJ at kami po ang magde-demanda sa mga traders na umaabuso. Sa mga farmers natin, sa mga magsasaka natin, huwag po kayong matakot,” Castro said.

“Basta lamang kumpletuhin ninyo ang inyong mga ebidensiya hangga’t maaari, para po ito ay maging dahilan sa amin para sila ay habulin at idemanda. Maaari po kasi itong maging kaso na economic sabotage,” Castro said.

Castro made the remarks when asked to comment on some farmers’ concerns that as the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program expands to more areas, more traders might use the program as an excuse to buy palay at unreasonably low prices.

“Iyan po ang ginagawa yatang dahilan ng mga traders para bumili nang mas mura na palay mula sa mga farmers. Iyan po ay walang katotohanan ayon sa DA dahil mas bumibili sila ng marami na palay nang hindi makakaapekto sa presyo, pagbili ng NFA sa mga farmers,” Castro said.

Last May, the DA said it had already identified 32 areas in Luzon where traders resorted to such practices. It is considering implementing a “floor price” for palay to protect farmers from being underpaid. | PND