1.
GTV FIELD OF RICE.
0.03

2.
STV PAN DITTO (2 SHOTS).
0.10

3.
SV PEOPLE FLAILING RICE.
0.15

4.
SCU DITTO.
0.20

5.
SV MAN CARRIES BALE OF RICE.
0.23

6.
SV WOMAN SIEVING (2 SHOTS).
0.30

7.
GV FIELD.
0.34

8.
GV DITTO.
0.37

9.
SV INT: PEOPLE SEATED IN THE BOARDROOM AT THE RICE AND CORN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.
0.40

10.
SV REPRESENTATIVES.
0.50

11.
LV & CU BOARD GIVING PRICES.
0.56



Initials GHB/VS/BHH/FR



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: PROSPECTIVE IMPORTERS OF PHILIPPINES RICE FROM SIX COUNTRIES WERE THIS WEEK TRYING TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF EXPORTABLE SURPLUS THE COUNTRY HAS. ThIS WAS REVEALED BY SOURCES IN THE RICE AND CORN ADMINISTRATION, WHICH INDICATED THAT AT LEAST 12 RICE TRADING-FIRMS WERE INTENDING TO TAKE PART IN THE INITIAL BIDDING.

IT APPEARS THAT THE PHILIPPINES' ENTRY INTO THE EXPORT MARKET IN RICE PROMISES TO DISTURB WHAT HAS PERVIOUSLY BEEN A RELATIVELY SECURE FIELD.

ON THURSDAY ( 28 MARCH) VICE-PRESIDENT FERNANDO LOPEZ, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE RICE AND CORN PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATING COUNCIL, ANNOUNCED THAT PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS HAD APPROVED THE OPENING OF IDLE LANDS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR LARGE-SCALE MECHANISED RICE FARMING UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF AN AMERICAN FIRM. MR LOPEZ, WHO IS ALSO SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, SAID THE HAWAII-BASED FIRM COULD HELP THE PHILIPPINES MAINTAIN RICE AND CORN AS AN EXPORT.