Duterte Warn Traders Amid Rice Shortage Reports

The last time DatelineDavao spoke with the General Manager of the National Food Authority Xi, he confirmed that a rice shortage in Davao City is farfetched. Several months later, news of rice price increases and corresponding shortage of rice supply abound prompting Davao City Mayor Duterte to want unscrupulous traders who take advantage of the situation.

You can tour the whole of Davao these days but you will never be able to find rice, specifically 7 Tonner or Masipag, at its old price of P27 below. Today, these rice varieties are priced from P28 up. Even Mais, supposedly as cheap as NFA rice is now P21 per kilo.

With the gas prices up and the rice prices up, can a Dabawenyo earning minimum wage with e kids still survive? Your guess is as good as mine.