President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel to initiate legal and swift remedy in lowering the price of staple rice amid the rising inflation, particularly on food and transport, posting 7.6 percent in April, induced by the Middle East war.

“Sa ngayon ang utos ng Pangulo kay Secretary Tiu-Laurel Jr. ay gawin ang lahat ng paraan para ibaba ang presyo ng bigas,” according to Palace press officer, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro in a briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

“Legal na pamamaraan, tamang proseso ang gagawin po ni Secretary Tui Laurel Jr., dahil iyan po ang kabilinbilinan. Dahil according to Secretary Tui Laurel Jr., hindi po tayo kulang sa supply ng bigas. Sapat po ang supply ng bigas at hindi kinakailangan na tumaas ang presyo nito,” she added.

She said one of the reasons why the inflation rate soared to 7.6 percent was because of the high prices of rice.

As of last month, the average prices of rice in Metro Manila are approximately P42.50/kg for regular-milled, P48/kg for well-milled, and P58.87/kg for premium rice, attributed to the high cost of fertilizers, part of the ill-effects of the Middle East war, particularly due to the closure of the Straight of Hormuz.

Warning to hoarders

Further, Castro said the President mandated law enforcement agencies to go after hoarders and profiteers who are taking advantage of the situation.

“Huwag hayaang may mang-abuso sa sitwasyon ngayon na may krisis sa Middle East (Do not allow anyone to take advantage of the situation amid the Middle East crisis),” she said, adding that the government will file appropriate charges against those taking advantage of the situation, which can also lead to a price cap.

“At kapag napatunayan na may sabwatan para tumaas ang presyo ng bigas, hindi mag-aatubili ang gobyernong kasuhan ang mga sangkot at ang maaaring pagpapataw ng price cap,” she said.

In recent weeks, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. spearheaded the distribution of rice in cities and various regions as part of the administration’s continuing efforts to help communities cope with the effects of rising food and fuel prices.

The initiative is in response to the President's directive to local government units to maximize the use of their Local Government Support Fund and allocate up to 100 percent of the funds for rice distribution to their constituents.