Gabriela-Davao protests high rice prices, demands price control now!

Gabriela is spearheading nationwide protest actions against the government's failure to abet the skyrocketing prices of rice and other basic commodities. In Davao City, members of Gabriela trooped to the NFA office.

The women's group insists that Section 7 of the Price Act of 1992 gives the NPCC the power to recommend to the president the imposition of a mandated price ceiling.

The women's group said that the law particularly stated that a price ceiling may be imposed if any of certain conditions warrants. Among others, one such condition defined in the law was "(W)henever the prevailing price of any basic necessity or prime commodity has risen to unreasonable levels".

In Manila, Samahan ng Maralitang Kababahiang Nagkakaisa (SAMAKANA) Chairperson Nerissa Guerrero, said "Clearly the price of rice has risen to unreasonable level for why else would we line up for the cheaper NFA rice. As mothers, homemakers, and sometimes breadwinners, we bear the daily brunt of seeing our families trying desperately, but failing miserably, to keep up with the continuing and intensifying increases in the prices of rice and other commodities."

"The Arroyo government, through its policies that neglect local rice production, prioritize agricultural production for export and gives precedence to rice importation over strengthening the capacity of local production, is accountable for the problem of soaring commercial rice prices. That it fails to stop the continuing phenomenal price hike of rice makes us surmise the possibility of collusion with the big rice cartel that are currently swimming in the profit of exorbitant rice at the cost of the people's misery," concluded Guerero.

According to Center for Women's Resources (CWR), and independent research institute for women, prices of basic commodities rose sharply from March 2007 to March 2008. Aside from rice, the most significant rise was noted in cooking oil (48.61%), liquefied petroleum gas or LPG (26.99%), powdered milk (20.81%) and sugar (20.14%).