Several markets in Quezon City are now offering regular and well-milled rice at ₱42 to ₱45 per kilo, based on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) inspection of local markets on November 11, 2024.
According to Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs, Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra, and Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance (ODA) and DA Spokesperson, Engr. Arnel V. De Mesa, CESO III, who inspected Murphy Public Market, Mega Q-mart, and Kamuning Public Market, retailers are now selling affordable rice.
“May nakita naman tayo na nagtitinda ng P42-P45 both local and imported. Iyong mas mababa ay local at karamihan ng imported ay premium. Dito may nakita tayo na nagbebenta ng P42-P45 which is in compliance base sa mga naging usapan dito sa tatlong markets,” Asec. De Mesa said.
The DA and rice retailers in Metro Manila met for a consultation last week.
According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. both parties agreed to a P3-P5 profit margin per kilo of rice.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyong kooperasyon. Magiging malaking tulong ito para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he said expressing his gratitude to the support and cooperation of the rice traders.
He added that the consultation was necessary to address the high retail prices of rice in the markets despite the lowering of tariff.
DA assured the public that the government will directly connect market vendors with importers or traders to streamline the supply chain.
“Ang sabi po kasi ng mga nakausap namin hindi sustainable ang murang bigas kasi walang nagbebenta sa kanila na ganoong presyo. Ang sabi naman po namin sa kanila, meron po kami na pwede i-connect sa kanila upang hindi na ganoon karaming traders pa ang dadaanan nila,” Asec. Guevarra said.
“Kasi, kung marami na naman na traders o wholesaler-traders, nadadagdagan pa kahit pa-piso kada sako. Nadadagdagan din sa consumers. Consumers pa rin ang balik noon,” she added.
The DA reiterated its commitment to intensifying price monitoring efforts to ensure regular and well-milled rice remains affordable.
“Hindi ito pansamantala. Patuloy ang pakikipag-usap natin sa mga stakeholders ng bigas at agri-commodities. We will continuously meet with all stake holders in a timely manner from farmer groups to processors trader/ importer and retailers to ensure we have stable prices for all within the rice value chain” the Secretary concluded. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)
