the country's current situation
By NICKY_FERDIE
@NICKY_FERDIE (147)
Philippines
April 21, 2008 12:31am CST
It's so depressing to see and hear what the news reports contain everyday:the continuing rice cris, the political chaos and the ever-present issue of global warming. This year seems to have had a not so pleasant start. I believe that the issue on rice crisis can and should be addressed immediately because the poor filpinos could no longer feed their families if not for the long queues and meager shares of NFA rice.I am worried for my own welfare but I am most woorried about the plight of the millions of Filipinos belonging to the poorest of the poor. What will they eat if they could no longer afford even the cheapest of rice? Would rootcrops and boiled bananas be enough to sustain themslves? If what the news say that there is no rice shortage is true, then apparently, some people are causing this problem through hoarding. Then, what can and should the government do about that? I firmly believe that these rice hoarders, if proven guilty, should be given the harshest punishment possible because they are clearly depriving millions of Filipinos the chance to live. They are depriving them of the basic necessities of life. That, for me, is equivalent to murder.On issues regarding politics especially the Lozada expose, I think we should let the rule of law prevail and let the roper authorities squeeze the truth out of these people. As for global warming, it is the responsibilty of each one of us to make our own moves in order to counter the effects of global warming. We cannot ait for the government to act on its own and forulate plans and measures in combating its effects because this might take a long long time to materialize.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@kwenge (2487)
• Kenya
21 Apr 08
I think this thing is happening here in my country also. There is shortage of rice and people are blaming some pests here. The news cast yesterday reported that there is going to be a rice shortage in the whole country and price has already hiked! What might be going on? Can we blame global warming? The only people suffering here are the low class guys! People who live for less than a dollar a day! Hope the government finds a solution.
@NICKY_FERDIE (147)
• Philippines
21 Apr 08
Really? Now that is worse news. It seems that the problem is noe a worldwide drama. What coulde really be the cause for all these. These problems seemed to have happened really fast,not the gradual and predictable economic crisis that we normally percieve.
@kissme007 (16)
• China
22 Apr 08
ur worrying about the rice problem in ur country.
well, am more worrying about the coming olympics in my country.
hope china will survive with so many voices of opposition.
hope poor filpinos will be fine too!
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
22 Apr 08
It is really depressing what is happening.Someone should do something about it. Cost in Gas is high..rice is high..other store prices are high..Tax are high..Why can't the government do something about it. We are becoming poorest of the poorer. While the rich get richer. Why is the President not doing anything about it???It is so ridiculous. They are doing nothing for their countrymen. Nothing at all
@edujccz (929)
• Philippines
21 Apr 08
You mention about the so many problem in the country but my opinion was not rice shortage but the inefficiency of the government to control prices. I have seen shortage of food in other countries and people of all class quee in line to reach for one. In our country, it is only the poor that you see filing up in line. we have rice everywhere in the market , the only thing is the prices cannot be afforded by the poor any more. According to Ban ki moon UN secretary general , if this crisis on high prices is not handled well, will cascade to a multidimensional problem affecting economic growth, social, security and political. He is correct on that.
global warming, same thing no body seems to listen and act
@gangus2 (373)
• United States
21 Apr 08
So many issues and no answer. I agree with you that this year started out with a bad beginning and worry that it is only the beginning of bigger and greater problems to come.
I believe that the biggest problem is demand: Global production of all products is either at its maximum output or very close to it. As far as Government, if they were to do anything, they would have already.
Even in our own country,(which is considered the richiest of all)our Government, who has all the means, ability and power couldn't even fix or repair its own disasters(we still have not fully recovered from all the damages of Katrina). When I see it, I begin to realize that our Government no longer has all that it once did and wonder what else we will do without.
Karen
@usreal (50)
• Spain
21 Apr 08
All countries have problems.There is no country that is not facing problem.I am really sorry for those African and some Asian countries.The rulers there are not proper.Even some countries in South America too face the same problem.There is one solution to the problem.The main cause for all the problems is poverty.Hence the Government should take care about distributing all the money equally among all.
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
21 Apr 08
You might want to go to http://www.upiasiaonline.com/Economics/2008/04/08/solutions_to_the_philippines_rice_crisis/08927/
as it outlines some plans that have been made to deal with this crisis.
The government is saying that the supply is stable and that hording is taking place but one is not sure how much to trust any government.
The government has plans which are dealing with the symptom rather than the cause.
The opposition wants to take care of the farmers, go after the corruption and negotiate with the rebels so that the rice harvest and production can take place without problems
The peasents want to stop land conversions, prioritize production on food crops (reducing biofuel and other cash crops) thus decreasing the dependency on foreign rice.
They also would like to see the end of the rice cartel. They would like to decrease the spending on war and on defense and put that money into food producation and go after the smugglers as they are guilty of economic sabatoge.
I agree with you regarding global warming... As my government is not doing enough yet... It seems that everyone may have to do things differently. I pray that all will have the knowledge and the will to do whatever is needed.
It seems that indeed there has been hording and speculation but this was made profitable because of the Vietnam and Thailand restricting rice exports.
The President has said that she has persuaded them to both continue to send the rice to your Country.
