Agri chief inspects prices of rice at Pasig public market

MANILA, Philippines - On the eve of his "quiz" before President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on high prices of rice, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap inspected a public market in Pasig City Monday to check on prices of the commodity. Yap, who visited the Pasig City public market, said the high price was mainly due to the high cost of fertilizer and other inputs in the last planting season. "Sa tingin namin hindi nakaka-alarm ang level... Tandaan natin hindi pwedeng magtanim ang magsasaka nang patalo. Ang bigas natin ngayon inani ito mataas ang fertilizer, bumabawi ang magsasaka ngayon [I don't think the rice price levels are alarming. Let's remember farmers cannot plant at a loss, and they had to shell out a lot for fertilizer in the last planting season]," Yap said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the last harvest from the last planting season is expected this March to May. He said prices will likely start to go down after that. "Ito ang nakita nating bababa ngayon, ito ang last supply ng main harvest natin at napakamahal ng inputs. Nag-a-adjust ang presyo [We expect prices to go down by then, this will be the last supply of the main harvest from the last planting period. Prices should adjust after that]," he said. Monday's inspection came on the eve of the regular Cabinet meeting where he will be asked to explain to President Arroyo why rice prices are high. Yap also said the Agriculture department will continue its regular price monitoring, but he would make a personal inspection if he learns of high prices. "Pag may naririnig tayo tinitingnan natin bagama't may weekly monitoring ng prices sa palengke [If we learn of high prices amid weekly monitoring, we will make an inspection]," he said. - GMANews.TV