For decades, I loved being the member of the family responsible for visiting the market – by going to the market, I am aware of what is happening. In Bacolod City, I spent many years going to the Burgos Public Market (even before it opened in the morning).
In all those years, the market was a regular scene for me; however, today, the price of rice is causing a lot of pain. While I always tell myself not to consume too much premium white rice, now, I also ask myself, “Why is the price of rice rising so much?”
A lowly teacher said they do not believe the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law is responsible for the increase. To which a lawyer suggested it is the rice traders charging prices that suit them, but point to the TRAIN Law and blame President Rodrigo Duterte. The teacher also pointed out, the National Food Authority is “helpless” because they are not the one doing the purchasing.
An engineer agreed with the lawyer and said, “I can only look at the rice trader, beaming with heavy pockets.”
“Rice sellers in public markets are also traders,” they added.
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SM City Bacolod will soon be putting up a hotel in Bacolod City, a high-rise structure that will be attached to the mall under the Park Inn by Radisson name, similar to the one in Davao City.
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Vikings will soon open in Iloilo City. Cheers!
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This column greets Arturo Colmedora, Raymund Quinto, Mars Lallega, JC Clavecillas, Josephine Duterte, Myla Mae Abellana, Richard Oquendo, Jennylind Cordero, Nato Novero, Ray Tabafunda, Michael Ola, Francis Velez, Pike Santander, and Junjun Lizares./WDJ