A day after the P58-per-kilo maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice took effect in Metro Manila, the Department of Agriculture (DA) urged grains retailers to comply with the new directive that is intended to reflect recent tariff reduction and lower global prices.
The joint monitoring team of the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry, led by Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, inspected stalls selling rice at the Trabajo Market in Manila to ensure compliance with the MSRP. The team also looked at the prices of meat, fish and vegetable to ensure they comply with other retail regulations.
Although vendors largely complied with the MSRP, the monitoring team still found retailers selling rice above the P58 per kilo limit.
“May mga namo-monitor pa tayo rito na P60 to P65 na rice per kilo pero brands kasi siya at local, hindi dapat mag-a-apply sa local ang MSRP. Relatively, bumababa na rin naman ang prices at sumasabay naman sila sa directives natin. Pero itong brands na ito, mataas pa raw ang kuha nila so pinapaubos na lang nila ang stocks at susunod na rin sila sa P58 MSRP,” Velicaria-Guevarra explained.
“The guidelines would be strictly enforced once the official regulations are released in February.”
While no penalties were imposed during the initial monitoring, DA officials warned that the guidelines would be strictly enforced once the official regulations are released in February.
Assistant Secretary and DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa also urged rice retailers to renegotiate prices with their suppliers to align with the new MSRP.
“Kailangan na nilang mag-renegotiate sa kanilang suppliers dahil mayroon nang MSRP ngayon. Dapat mapag-usapan nila immediately ang stocks dahil sa susunod, hindi na puwedeng makakita kami ng ganito kataas na presyo, lalo na ‘yong P60 to P65 per kilo. We’ll give them enough time to negotiate with their suppliers but eventually, in two weeks’ time, we will have another round of monitoring,” de Mesa advised.
The MSRP for imported rice was introduced on January 20 following consultations with industry stakeholders, importers, and government agencies.
“The MSRP ensures rice remains affordable for consumers while supporting the profitability of the rice industry.”
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said earlier that the MSRP ensures rice remains affordable for consumers while supporting the profitability of the rice industry.
Further adjustments to the MSRP should be expected in the coming weeks, Tiu Laurel added.
“The agriculture chief has warned that if the MSRP doesn’t bring down rice prices to reasonable levels, the DA will recommend price controls and ceilings which shall impose fines of up to P1 million on violators,” de Mesa elaborated.
DA officials recognized the vital role of local government units in ensuring compliance.
“Lahat ng mga mayor dito [sa Metro Manila] ay nakikiisa at tuloy-tuloy ang suporta sa mga programa ng DA. Kasama na riyan ang monitoring ng mga presyo—lalo na’t mayroon tayong MSRPs ngayon—para ma-monitor din natin kung talaga bang bumababa ang presyo ng bigas at iba pang pangunahing produkto at kung sumusunod ba ang retailers sa ating ipinatutupad na MSRPs. ‘Yon naman ang kanilang commitment at talagang nagpapasalamat kami at tuloy-tuloy ang kanilang suporta,” Velicaria-Guevarra concluded.
