Amid Port Congestion Delaying Low Rice Prices Lee Urges BOC, PPA To Boost Ports Manpower To Expedite Unloading Of Rice Shipments

September 19, 2024 Amid Port Congestion Delaying Low Rice Prices Lee Urges BOC, PPA To Boost Ports Manpower To Expedite Unloading Of Rice Shipments Cong. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” T. Lee has called on the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to expedite the unloading of rice shipments at the country’s ports to increase the supply and lower the price of rice in the market. Lee’s call comes amid port congestion, which has been a significant hurdle in stabilizing rice prices, as noted by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in a press briefing. “We need to work quickly and efficiently as every delay in unloading rice cargoes not only adds to costs but also worsens the situation for consumers, especially with inflation,” Lee who is set to visit Bacolod today to attend as keynote speaker the Visayas Public Transportation Modernization Program Forum, said. “Biruin n’yo, nasa isa hanggang dalawang linggo na raw nakatengga ‘yung mga kargamento ng bigas sa ating mga ports. Imbes na mailabas agad sa merkado para dumami ang supply at mapababa ang presyo ng bigas, eh lalo pa itong nagmamahal,” he added. Lee proposed increasing manpower at ports or implementing round-the-clock shifts to address the logistical bottlenecks and ensure faster processing of shipments to resolve backlogs quickly. He then called for the immediate passage of his proposed House Bill No. 10426 which pushes 24/7 frontline government services and extension of face-to-face transactions. This measure would include the operations of the BOC and other government agencies to have speedy and efficient administration of services. “We need all hands on deck. Increasing workforce or having 24/7 operations will significantly reduce backlogs and lower the prices of rice,” the solon from Bicol said. “A seamless supply chain system, including efficient port logistics, is crucial to ensuring food security and keeping prices affordable. Mawawalan ng silbi ang Executive Order No. 62 na nagpababa ng taripa sa imported na bigas kung di naman mapapakinabangan ng mga consumers ang mas murang bigas,” he added. EO 62, issued by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in July, lowered the tariffs on imported rice from 35% to 15%. “Walang puwang dapat sa gobyerno ang mababagal at usad-pagong na sistema. Lagi dapat itong agrisibo sa paghahanap ng solusyon kung paano mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga Pilipino, hindi yung lalo pang nagpapabigat sa problema ng taumbayan, lalo sa usapin ng pagkain,” Lee said. “Habang naglalatag tayo ng panandaliang solusyon, dapat kumikilos na tayo para sa long-term na solusyon. Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa. Dapat lang na dagdagan ang tulong sa ating food security soldiers, mula sa pagtatanim, sa anihan, hanggang sa paghahatid at pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado na siya ring magpapababa ng presyo. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” he added. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Logged in as admin_wilbertleeagriadvocacy. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Latest Post 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 18 Nov 2024 Amid calamities AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE 07 Nov 2024 Cong. Wilbert Lee Stresses Farmer Support as Inflation Solution at Kapihan sa QC Categories Advocay Legislation Support Share on Social Media Advocacy September 19, 2024 Hot News AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion Amid calamities AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE Cong. Wilbert Lee Stresses Farmer Support as Inflation Solution at Kapihan sa QC Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation Cong. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” Lee Advocates for Stronger Support to Farmers Amid Inflation Cong. Wilbert Lee: “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka” Cong. Wilbert Lee Champions Bigger Budget for Agriculture in 2025 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges PhilHealth, PCA to Fulfill Commitments to Coconut Farmers’ Health Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Calls on PhilHealth, PCA to Deliver Health Benefits for Coconut Farmers