Apolitical analysts are urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to just admit that his promise to lower prices of rice to P20 a kilo is not doable because production costs are too high.
Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, political analyst Atty. Eduardo Chico said Marcos needs to address the "elephant in the room" as his trust and approval ratings slightly declined ahead of the 3rd State of the Nation Address.
"'Yung pangakong P20 na bigas he really has to address that. It’s about time na aminin ng Pangulo na hindi siya doable. Ang laki ng problema sa bigas. Ang production cost ay napakataas," Chico noted.
"He also has to report to the people that it is utterly impossible. It’s a campaign promise that he wanted but couldn’t do. Ang mangyayari pag ipinilit niya, it will be form of subsidy gaya ng ginagawa niya sa Kadiwa."
The price of rice in the world market has soared to a 15-year high, mostly due to reduced exports from India and the threat of El Niño.
In September last year, rice prices skyrocketed to around P60 per kilo. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, rice inflation hit 22.5 percent in June this year, only slightly lower compared to the previous month.
In the interview, Chico said the President has already delivered on 9 of some 40 promises he made during the last SONA including the new Government Procurement Act, Ease of Paying Taxes, and a recalibration of the K-12 program.
However, he said the President must also make a stand on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), which have been linked to various criminal activities.
He said he expects Marcos to highlight the issue of the West Philippine Sea while also avoiding any mention of a rift with Vice-President Sara Duterte.
Source: MSN
