The Rise of Fake Rice

It is so sad to hear and frightening to know that the rice you serve to your family is fake. Imagine your 6-year old kid eats a Styrofoam. A food that we Filipinos dine every meal, the rice, is now taking the headlines for being synthetic and dangerous.

Mindanao is the food basket of the country. We plant and deliver rice around the country. In Davao region alone, we have vast agricultural resources that can sustain every Juan’s stomach. We have tons of tons of rice every season and yet, we become the first victim of plastic rice smuggling.

Aren’t you wondering why it happened in the 4th safest cities in the world? In the city where life is accordingly here? In the city where the strongest candidate for Presidency lives? In the place of Duterte who blasted rice smugglers last year?

I bet you get it already. This is perhaps political. They wanted to create turbulence in Davao City’s flight bound for being one of the safest cities in the world. These businessmen tried to disturb the notion that life is here. Or, they simply don’t like Mayor Rody Duterte to hold the highest position in the government because it’s going to be hell for the rice smugglers to penetrate if Digong becomes the most powerful man in the country.

For the past few weeks, some of the dabawenyos posted their experiences about eating plastic rice at home which triggered others to check their supplies. Surprisingly, victims sprouted like mushrooms and reported it to the authorities.

Meanwhile,the National Food Authority has confirmed presence of chemical on samples and fake rice is now officially present in the market.

NFA tells people to not panic but this issue is a big problem not to panic. People are starting to doubt their rice supplies now especially that it has become a talk-about on social media. NFA should work overtime on this before people lose their confidence and get panic.

On facebook, a video has trended the newsfeed showing a rice production factory in China as to how to create fake rice made of potatoes and Styrofoam. The video was released before news about plastic rice in Davao City occurred.

Netizens assumed that China is the source of spreading fake rice backed up by some rich men who wants to tremble Davao City’s stability. Smugglers love it as much as Duterte’s haters do.

The rise of the plastic rice has become the new challenge of Duterte. If he let this issue become worse, chances are, character assassins will utilize this chance to put Digong’s down and his enemies in the race to presidency will maximize the issue.

If only we can move Mindanao from the central government, life would be much easier. I know, it’s not possible that’s why I am for federalism where the people benefit the wealth of their own lands.