WHEN President Rodrigo Duterte ponders whether to allow more rice imports this year, he will be presented a host of numbers. But one disturbing figure he probably won’t get is the one that has the biggest long-term impact on the lives of millions of poor children. Hence, while our rice policy may help rice farmers, it may be harming the future of generations of Filipino children, including those of poor farmers. And last week, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez allowed that private-sector rice imports may now be the direction. Plainly, President Duterte needs to decide two big questions: Will the Philippines import rice, and how much?

Source: Manila Times May 10, 2017 16:41 UTC