Tell tale signs

The “issue” or “controversy” over government rice importations should simply be a Presidential decision or part of government policy. But weeks after President Duterte made the decision, it would “seem as if” there was a brewing controversy where the National Food Administration (NFA) and not President Duterte is being made to appear like the big bad wolf or criminal in government. If one reads some of the “opinions” or small news articles on the decision to conduct “government to government” importation after all the local rice has been bought up, you would think that the end is near for our rice eating nation.

Actually, I have reason to suspect that someone is feeding, fueling or fanning the flames of disinformation in favor of the rice cartels. The first sign is the fact that none of the “attacks or criticism” is leveled at President Duterte but toward the NFA or its officials. Just to spread the lard of lie, Secretary Manny Piñol’s name is mentioned in passing. This is odd and illogical since the ultimate decision maker was President Duterte; so if it was a bad call, why not take him to task? The rice cartel don’t and won’t mess with DU30 because he fights back and bites back!

If it is a done deal based on presidential action, why continue fanning the flames of doubt and fear? Simple, the PR practitioner is hoping to get the opposition and media to build up a public impression or loud enough a noise that might hopefully attract government critics to call for an investigation or inquiry so that when they, the rice cartel, go to the Supreme Court for legal intervention, they could use the “media materials” and congressional action as part of their proof or evidence.

The give-away or telltale signs that a PR person is working the neighborhood can be lifted from the stuff that comes out about an issue or a topic.  First of all, if a “none issue” is suddenly made into a “big thing” in spite of the fact that it’s already been decided on by the proper authorities or parties, that’s a “heads up” for you. “Check out the source” is what I always tell my students. If people who don’t normally comment or write about a particular topic or an issue or are not known to be familiar, interested on a topic – but start writing and sounding like an expert on the matter – that’s clue #2. When several talking heads start commenting or writing about the same “issue” like mushrooms after the first rainfall or like a newly formed “Old Boys Band” singing or writing the same chorus, you have your 3rd clue. If you’re hunting for more clues then check out key words, phrases or quoted sources and if they seem or do share many things in common, there you have it.

As for the government decision not to import rice “until necessary” is concerned, it is apparent that the rice cartel won’t let it go without a fight or at least without destabilizing or destroying the reputation of the NFA and its officials. Perhaps, it is time for President Duterte to revisit the time when he had to deal with an alleged rice smuggler in Mindanao who he was really pissed off with. From there he should really look into the activities of people who are members or supporters of the rice cartel. They are clearly anti-poor, anti-government and anti-Filipino.

*      *      *

As far as shutting down importation of products that compete with local producers particularly people such as small  farmers and backyard raisers, the good news is that the farm-gate price of pork has gone up as well as the prices for piglets. This is undeniable proof that Secretary Piñol’s decision to limit or restrict the importation of pork in various forms has been very beneficial to ordinary Filipinos. Even the medium and large corporate farms have been optimistic of meeting local demands as long as the government controls disruptive and anti-competitive importations.

It would certainly be interesting to see how much benefit cascades down to real rice farmers once the local rice dealers and traders are forced to source their produce locally instead of using cheap imported rice to push down local prices. As for those who argue that Filipinos will have to pay higher prices once commercial importations are stopped, they obviously overlooked a few things: local rice prices have been controlled and manipulated by middlemen and traders who buy cheap but sell high. If the NFA bought up most of the local rice (which they can’t due to storage limitations) at true prices, rice would be cheaper because they eliminated the hoarders and profiteers! 

I wouldn’t know where to start, but in my many trips all over the countryside production is not the issue for farmers or raisers but better materials, more practical information, testimonials or shared knowledge and experiences of successful individuals and last but not the least markets or places where to sell their rice, fruits vegetables or livestock preferably within their locality to avoid transport cost and deterioration. I have been nagging the DILG and the D.A to get together and work at establishing barangay-based produce markets or Bilihan ng Bayan (LGU markets) for agricultural products. That way many of our local entrepreneurs or business-minded people would have a pre-assigned location where they can buy products they can store process or sell.

The DILG and DA can also help build up an “inter-region product trading network” where crops of different regions can be bartered/traded between provinces. Coffee can be exchanged for corn, coconut for sugar or rice etc. The DTI promoted the OTOP or One Town – One Product idea. Why not Inter-Province/Region Barter such as pork for corn etc.?  Sources and markets, that’s what we need out there.

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]