Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol signed today, June 25, 2018, the Administrative Circular, which sets a suggested retail price (SRP) for eight agricultural commodities including rice, tilapia, bangus, galungong, onion, and garlic.

The setting of the SRP comes after the consultation meeting attended by public and private stakeholders on June 22.

Under the Circular, the following commodities will be priced (at one kilogram each) as follows: Rice (regular milled) P39, Milkfish (medium to big size 2 to 5 pieces) P150, Tilapia (medium size 6 pieces) P100, Galunggong (medium size 11-20 pieces) P140, Red Onion P95, White Onion P75, Garlic (imported) P70, and Garlic (local variety) P120.

The Circular allows for a 10% increase in the prices of the aforementioned produce.

“This means that prices may decrease, but not increase beyond 10% and DA can charge anyone who will not comply,” Piñol stressed.

The SRP aims to stabilize the price of basic commodities and avoid the irregular movement in the market prices that may cause alarm to the consumers.

‘DA is not only focused on production and the welfare of food producers, but we are also looking out for the benefit of the consumers and the buyers,” he said.

Along with DA, the Departments of Trade and Industry and Local Government will enforce the SRP. ### (oda rodriguez/DA-AFID)