The Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) inspected Metro Manila markets, on September 5, to ensure compliance with the established price ceiling for both regular and well-milled rice, as stipulated in Executive Order No. 39

Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero, together with Metro Manila Council (MMC) and San Juan Mayor Francis M. Zamora, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau Director Fhillip D. Sawali, and DA Legal Service Director Atty. Willie Ann M. Angsiy visited and monitored rice prices in Agora Market in San Juan, as well as in Nepa Q Mart and Savemore – Mega in Quezon City.

A composition team from the DA and DTI also conducted simultaneous inspections in 18 Metro Manila markets.

Under EO 39, the mandated price cap for regular milled rice is PhP41.00 per kilogram PhP45.00 per kilogram for well-milled rice.

The DA is already preparing the assistance intended to assist affected retailers. Along with DTI, the DA has started to compile a list of rice traders and retailers who will be affected by the implementation of the rice price ceilings.

In addition to the price monitoring in the markets, the Agriculture Department will persist in inspecting warehouses to address concerns related to hoarding and illegal rice imports. The local governments of San Juan and Quezon City will also extend support to retailers.

The DILG said they will not apprehend and penalize retailers who have not yet complied with the EO No. 39 on the first day of its implementation.### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)