Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday called on traders not to create an artificial rice shortage by hoarding supply in the hope of making more money.

Zayco issued the appeal as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday directed Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to go all-out against rice hoarders to ensure that cheap government rice ends up on the tables of the intended consumers – the country’s poor.

At the same time, Arroyo appealed to  traders to refrain from unnecessarily jacking up prices, particularly of food products not affected by the tightening rice supply and high oil prices in the world market.

Yap informed the President that while there is no rice shortage, factors affecting the current price of the commodity include the high fuel prices, lower global production due to climate change, rising demand due to overpopulation, and the 150 percent increase in the price of fertilizers.

Zayco, in appealing to traders not to hoard rice, said they should remember rice is the staple food of Filipinos and hoarding it would hurt the poor the most.

He reiterated that Negros Occidental currently has a 60 day rice buffer stock and has harvestable palay expected to cover another two months.

The situation in the province is not alarming, Zayco said.

But he said government should continue to work to ensure that the country’s economic growth trickle’s down to the poor.

What the people need are affordable food, medical care and education, he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Mar Roxas yesterday called on the Department of Agriculture to release the details on the release of an additional P1.5 billion to boost domestic production of rice, and show that this is being put to effective use.

Roxas, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce, urged that the following steps be taken to stave off a crisis:  release the LGUs’ calamity funds to be used for assisting farmers in planting and harvesting rice crops to increase domestic supply;

Direct LGUs to establish a food security early warning system; reactivate the peace process in conflict areas to ensure unimpeded cultivation, planting, tending and harvesting of crops; and create special investigative and prosecutorial teams to go after rice hoarders and those diverting NFA rice for commercial purposes.*CPG

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