The Arroyo government on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of food riots breaking out in the Philippines just like what has happened in other countries, leading to the downfall of a government in the case of Haiti. Government officials said measures are being rushed to ease the plight of Filipinos reeling from the sharp increases in the prices of rice and other basic commodities. Meeting on Tuesday, President Gloria Arroyo and her Cabinet agreed on a new distribution system for low-cost National Food Authority (NFA) rice that may be implemented this week for 625,000 poor families in Metro Manila. Imported US rice will also be sold in government retail outlets at 25 pesos ($0.62) per kilo starting this week. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro earlier said he does not see “food riots” happening in the Philippines, noting that this has never happened in recent history. “We don't see any immediate threats to national security whether caused by this rice crisis or otherwise,” Teodoro said. “What we see occurring in other countries, I do not see here,” Teodoro said. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo echoed Teodoro's remarks, saying she did not think the rice crisis would lead to social unrest in the Philippines. Rice prices have soared by up to 30 percent since the end of 2007 amid concerns about tight global supply, hoarding and rising demand from consumers alarmed by the possibility of shortages. So far, aside from the long queues of Filipinos seeking to buy the low-cost NFA rice, there has been no serious public disturbance following government assurance that sufficient supply of rice will be maintained. The Philippines is the world's biggest importer of rice and has been hit hard by the grain's skyrocketing world prices, which have more than doubled since the start of the year. The surge in food prices led to the collapse of Haiti's government on Saturday after more than a week of riots over food prices. Last Saturday, workers in Bangladesh rioted for hours over soaring food costs, and at least 50 people were hurt. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has said 37 countries, including the Philippines, could be facing a food crisis. Meanwhile, government retailers are set to start selling US rice in markets in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao starting this week. __
