Philippines is the World Top Importer of Rice
The Philippine is considered as an agricultural country but it is the world top importer of rice. It is a bit ironic. Add to the insult is that years back we are the one who teaches our neighboring country about agriculture but today we are the one who is importing agricultural product from them.
Currently the country is importing 2.2 million tons of rice every year (source:goldsea.com). By doing so, the government is shouldering the burden of paying high and selling low. They pay high in the world market and sell it low so our kababayan can afford it.
Due to some alleged hording and unscrupulous pricing the government is now investigating the distributors of NFA rice and will charged accordingly.
picture taken from:nfa.gov.ph