RICE SUPPLY. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and National Assembly of Vietnam President Vuong Dinh Hue meet on the eve of the formal opening of the 44th AIPA (ASEAN Parliamentary Assembly) general assembly in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday (Aug. 7, 2023). Vuong Dinh Hue assured to continue to provide the Philippines with a stable supply of rice at affordable prices. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Speaker)
MANILA – Vietnam assured it will continue to provide the Philippines with a stable supply of rice at affordable prices in affirmation of the strong friendly relations between the two countries, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Monday.
Romualdez received the commitment on Sunday during his meeting with Vuong Dinh Hue, president of the National Assembly of Vietnam, on the eve of the formal opening of the 44th AIPA (ASEAN Parliamentary Assembly) general assembly in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“Inutusan tayo ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na pagtuunan naming lahat ng pansin ang problemang ito at tumulong na mapigilan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bigas dulot ng kakulangan sa suplay (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered us to focus all our attention to this problem and help avert the increase in the price of rice due to the lack of supply),” Romualdez said on a Facebook post.
“Kaya naman lubos na nagpapasalamat tayo kay Hon. Vuong Dinh Hue, President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, sa pagtitiyak sa atin na tuloy-tuloy ang pagsusuplay ng bansang Vietnam sa ating bansa ng de-kalidad na bigas sa abot-kayang presyo (That is why we are very grateful to Honorable Vuong Dinh Hue, president of the National Assembly of Vietnam, for assuring us that Vietnam will continue to supply our country with high-quality rice at an affordable price,” he added.
In response, Romualdez said the Philippines is willing to provide Vietnam with specific products and materials it may need to meet the demand of its industries and consumers.
Marcos earlier expressed concern over the country’s rice supply amid the widespread damage to farmlands caused Super Typhoon Egay and the threat posed by El Niño phenomenon on rice production.
The export ban imposed by India, the world’s largest rice exporter, on July 20 is also expected to cause ripples in global rice prices that would affect millions of consumers, particularly in Africa and Asia.
Vietnam is traditionally the main source of Philippine rice imports.
Vuong’s assurance “could help boost the country’s rice supply and dampen possible price spikes fueled by speculation over possible shortages,” Romualdez said.
Other areas of cooperation
Romualdez also said he is looking forward to broadening the areas of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the context of their respective parliaments and in the areas of energy transition and digital transformation.
Romualdez and Vuong also discussed, among others, opportunities for partnership and cooperation to improve the supply chain between the Philippines and Vietnam involving other agricultural products and construction materials, such as cement.
Meanwhile, Vuong invited Romualdez to visit Vietnam to reciprocate the warm reception he received from members of Congress during his visit to the Philippines in November last year.
Vuong Dinh Hue deeply appreciated the resolution adopted by the House of Representatives intended to boost the cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam through the establishment of the Philippine-Vietnam Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society.
To recall, Romualdez presented Vuong with a copy of House Resolution No. 34 during their meeting last year at the House of Representatives in Quezon City. (PNA)
