PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., urged Filipinos to report sellers who would not abide by the mandated ceiling price on rice as a solution to aid the increase in retail prices.
Marcos signed Executive Order No. 39 on Thursday, stating the implementation of a mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice at P41 per kilogram (kg) and P45 for well-milled rice. The order was issued after the recommendation given by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help reduce the economic impact of the prices on Filipinos.
“I would encourage anyone who finds that someone or retailer selling above the price ceiling, i-report niyo sa pulis, sa DA sa lugar niyo, sa local government para matingnan natin at tiyakin na hindi lalampas sa ating presyo na nilagay,” he said.
Despite reports of rice supply sufficiency in the country, DTI and DA noted a widespread practice of alleged illegal price manipulation.
The agriculture department reported on August 28 that the local regular milled rice in markets in the National Capital Region (NCR) has reached a range of P42 to P55 per kg, while the local well-milled rice ranges from P48 to P56 per kg.
“It’s not so bad outside the Metro Manila, that’s why we will be focusing our efforts in Metro Manila,” Marcos said.
Marcos has directed the two departments to ensure strict implementation of the price ceilings and conduct monitoring and investigations. The DTI and DA will also provide assistance to affected retailers with the help of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law-enforcing agencies will assist DTI and DA in effective enforcement. (RPG/PIA Mimaropa – Palawan)
