Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Rice shortage in the Philippines

A quick rise in the price of rice is striking consumers and lifting worries and fears of civic chaos in the Philippines. They blame rising fuel and fertilizer expenses as well as crops reduced by disease, pests and climate change. Much concern about prices could rise a further 40 percent in coming months. The higher prices have already flickered protests in the Philippines. The government officials have asked the public to save leftover rice. Prestoline Suyat of the May One Labor Movement, a left-wing workers group warned that hunger and poverty might eventually lead to riots. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo worries about anything that could flash a "people power" revolt against her. She is guaranteeing the neither public that rice won’t run out nor raise in price during the lean traditional months of July to September. She has arranged the purchase of up to 1.5 million tons from Vietnam. She also has planned on attack on price manipulation, hoarding and exploiting on subsidized rice. It is very sad to know about this recent crisis arising in the Philippines. I really feel bad about this situation. My family in P.I. also notified me about this recent rice shortage. I just pray that God will bless the Philippines with more food.

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