“Lipay ako, congratulations sa inyo.“
This was the message of Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol to the grains’ retailers and traders of Ormoc City during the launching of the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) for rice on November 9, 2018 at the city’s public market.
Before the formal launch, Piñol inspected the price and quality of rice sold in the market and was happy that the retailers were compliant.
“I am pleased with your efforts, I really appreciate what I saw today,” he added.
Piñol, who initially launched the SRP for Metro Manila, has started cascading the pricing system on a national level together with National Food Authority OIC Administrator Tomas Escares.
“As soon as the NFA was returned to the DA, we immediately made rounds in the markets and saw that rice were sold at very high prices,” Piñol said.
Piñol and Escares together with the NFA Council met with traders, millers, retailers and other rice stakeholders to put order in the grains industry to benefit both the consumers and producers.
“We wanted to fix the market price of rice, and everyone agreed,” he said.
Following the guidelines of the NFA, rice prices are as follows: Imported well-milled – P39.00, imported premium (PG1) – P43, imported premium (PG2) – P40, local regular-milled – P39, local well-milled – P44, local premium grade – P47.
Fancy and special rice are exempted from the SRP.
The agri chief however stressed that the suggested price is not constant and will vary depending on the demand and supply of the staple. As such, a consultative monitoring body was created to regularly keep track of prevailing price and make recommendations.
Piñol assured that the DA and the NFA will be watchful in the implementation of the SRP.
Violators will be given warning for not complying, and will be slapped with heavier penalties for repeating violations.
“We will give you a formal warning at first, but if you repeatedly commit the violation you may be face imprisonment which may last from four months to four years, fine of P2000 – P1 million, and cancellation of permits,” Piñol said. (odarodriguez/DA-AFID)
