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Article: SPECIAL REPORT: FOOD SECURITY: Dismantling the rice cartel
- Article from:
- The Manila Times
- Article date:
- April 9, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Content Parnership Pty Ltd Apr 9, 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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"Rice is an P80-billion local industry. Those who control the local production, as well as the importation of rice will surely control local and national politics, since rice is a highly sensitive and politically explosive product," said Fernando Hicap, national chairman of the farmer-affiliated Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya).
The government is targeting owners of rice warehouses, and has announced plans to raid warehouses. To date, even the military sector has pledged 200 out of 400 trucks needed to carry the rice and palay (unhusked rice) purchased by the National Food Authority (NFA). The Department of Trade and Industry vowed to collar profiteers ...