Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque on Thursday, January 16, led a joint market inspection of the Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market and the Free Choice Mart in Pasig City.
The joint DA-DTI market visit aims to safeguard consumer welfare, ensure fair prices, promote transparent business practices, and maintain a stable market environment.
In coordination with the Pasig City local government unit, the Cabinet secretaries interacted with the market vendors and consumers to discuss the supply and prices of the basic food commodities and to understand their concerns.
DA Assistant Secretaries Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra (Consumer Affairs) and Arnel V. De Mesa (Spokesperson), along with DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero also joined the market monitoring activity.
A week earlier, DA and DTI officials inspected supply and prices of basic goods at the Murphy Public Market and SM Hypermarket in Cubao, Quezon City.
Of particular interest in these visits is the prices of rice, which is the main staple of Filipinos. The latest market visit comes just days before the DA is scheduled to implement a P58 per kilo maximum suggested retail price for imported rice. The MSRP will take effect on Monday, January 20. ### (photos by Joseph Henry Elamparo, DA-AFID)
