Malacañang Press briefing | September 23, 2024

Summary

The Philippine Ports Authority and Department of Agriculture held a press briefing on September 23 to discuss the status of imported rice stocks. They reported no port congestion and 888 containers of rice cleared by the Bureau of Customs. The Department of Agriculture expressed gratitude for the expedited release of 23,000 metric tons of rice and discussed measures to prevent hoarding. Officials addressed concerns about food safety and the potential for profiteering, emphasizing the need for efficient port operations during the holiday season.

Takeaways

• 📅 The press briefing took place on September 23, focusing on the status of imported rice stocks and their impact on rice prices and food security.
• 🚢 The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) assured that there is no port congestion and they are closely monitoring rice shipments.
• 📦 It was reported that 888 containers of rice, already cleared by the Bureau of Customs, are ready to be pulled out by consignees.
• 🔍 Over the weekend, 100 containers of overstaying rice were pulled out, and efforts are ongoing to reduce overstaying containers.
• 📉 The Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed that 23,000 metric tons of rice have been imported, which is about 75% of the total imported rice as of the date mentioned.
• 🌾 The DA expressed gratitude to the PPA for facilitating the release of the rice shipments and discussed the need for faster pullout to prevent overstaying.
• 🛑 There were concerns raised about the possibility of hoarding and profiteering, but no direct accusations were made against the consignees.
• 🍚 The DA is ensuring food safety by checking the rice containers, especially those that have been in the port for an extended period.
• 📉 The price of imported rice has dropped by Php2, and local rice has decreased by Php5, reflecting the government's efforts to stabilize rice prices.
• 🎊 In preparation for the holiday season, the PPA is ready to handle the increased cargo traffic and advises importers and buyers to plan ahead to avoid delays.

Q & A

What was the main topic of the press briefing on September 23?

The main topic was the status of imported rice stocks, its impact on current and forecasted rice prices, and food security.

What is the assurance given by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) regarding port congestion?

The PPA assured that there is no current port congestion and they have been inspecting shipments in response to the Department of Agriculture's request to monitor rice shipments.

How many containers of rice were cleared by the Bureau of Customs as reported in the briefing?

There were 888 containers of rice that were cleared by the Bureau of Customs and ready to be pulled out by consignees.

What was the outcome of the overstaying containers of rice over the weekend?

Over the weekend, 100 containers of overstaying rice were pulled out by their respective consignees.

What is the agreement between the PPA and the Department of Agriculture regarding the overstaying containers?

They agreed to work together to reduce the number of overstaying containers containing rice and to monitor other commodities as well.

How much rice was imported as of the date mentioned in the script?

As of the date mentioned, about 393 metric tons of rice were imported, with the 888 containers representing approximately 23 million kilos or 23,000 metric tons.

What is the Department of Agriculture's stance on the release of the 888 containers?

The Department of Agriculture thanked the PPA for facilitating the release and discussed with the Secretary and GM Santiago to ensure the cargo is released within 30 days to prevent overstaying.

Why did the consignees only pull out the rice over the weekend according to the script?

The script does not provide a direct reason from the consignees, but it is suggested that they might be waiting for an increase in price before releasing the rice.

What is the concern regarding the rice that has been in the port for an extended period?

The concern is about food safety, especially for the rice that has been in the port for a long time, such as one container that has been there for 275 days.

What is the process if a shipment stays in the port beyond 30 days according to the PPA?

If a shipment stays in the port beyond 30 days after clearance by the Bureau of Customs, it is monitored by the PPA and then endorsed to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposal.

What is the current status of the food supply according to the Department of Agriculture?

The food supply is in good condition, with expectations of harvesting 20 million metric tons this year, including 3 million metric tons imported. There is a significant drop in the price of rice, with imported rice now at Php2 and local rice at Php5.

What preparations are being made by the PPA for the holiday season?

The PPA is preparing for an increase in cargo traffic leading up to Christmas and Chinese New Year. They advise importers to plan their imports earlier and consumers to expect delays similar to road traffic during the peak season.