BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO
With the high cost of living, Judith is working tirelessly to provide for her five children.
Despite her budgeting efforts, she finds it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, especially with the rising price of rice.
She added that it would be easier if wages increased alongside the rising cost of goods.
To save money, some consumers like Nanay Thelma actively seek cheaper rice. She sells fruits for a living, but her earnings depend on the number of customers she gets daily.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the inflation rate in the Cordillera region reached 3.3% in December 2024, higher than the 2.8% in 2023. The primary reason? Rising rice prices.
Recently, rice prices in some stores at the Baguio Public Market have dropped by 1 to 4 pesos per kilo, affecting both premium local and imported rice varieties.
Despite the price drop, many consumers still hope the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) will approve a resolution recommending that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declare a Food Security Emergency.
However, as of now, the NPCC has yet to submit the resolution to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
While awaiting the NPCC’s decision, the National Food Authority (NFA) assures the public that the country has sufficient buffer stocks in case a Food Security Emergency is declared.
If implemented, this move will allow NFA rice to be sold at 36 pesos per kilo, which could influence the pricing of commercial rice in the market.
