Malacañang said there is enough government intervention to ensure sufficient supply of rice during the lean season.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday there is enough buffer stock in government warehouses as the country enters the lean months.

The National Food Authority said rice prices will increase until September because of the lean season.

The NFA also released in the market P32 per kilo high-quality, commercial well-milled rice for public consumption, Valte said.

Asked by reporters about the possibility of some rice traders seizing the opportunity to overprice, she said the NFA is already acting on those concerns.

Earlier this month, Valte said the government was conduct strict monitoring of rice prices to prevent traders from unreasonably jacking up the price of the major staple. She said however that the increase in rice prices would be temporary.

Valte said concerned government agencies were doing the monitoring adding that the price increase was seasonal and would be going back to original prices once the harvest season starts.

The increase was part of a natural cycle of rice supply, Valte noted. Rice farmers have just started to plant palay and the NFA was just starting its assessment of its buffer stock in preparation for the lean season.*PNA

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