Manila, May 6 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said he would certify as urgent the bill proposing to amend the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), citing the need for the government to have control over or influence in the local rice market.

Marcos said amending the charter of the National Food Authority (NFA) and the RTL would give the government the needed leeway to act when retail prices of rice go up.

"Ang problema kasi kaya tumataas ang presyo ng bigas dahil ang mga trader ay nagko-compete. Pataasan sila ng presyuhan sa pag-bili ng palay at wala tayong control doon (The problem is that the price of rice is increasing because traders are competing. They will increase the price for buying rice and we have no control over that...